Key Projects

Delineation of Historical “New Inlet”, Debidue Island, South Carolina - Project Manager/ Coastal Geologist.
An historical inlet investigation was performed to settle a land boundary dispute between two contiguous parcels of land along Debidue Island, South Carolina. Research and fieldwork were designed to determine the location of "New Inlet" prior to its closure in the early 1800’s. Using historical maps, plats, and aerial photographs, an approximate historical position of the inlet was initially identified using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. A detailed field investigation was implemented to determine the exact location of the paleo-inlet, consisting of geophysical surveying and sediment coring. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) profiles were collected to identify potential inlet fill sequences and to characterize the sub-surface geology. Sediment cores were collected and sampled for grain size and organics to ground-truth the GPR data. Organic samples were radiocarbon dated to prove a chronology for the evolution of the barrier and tidal inlet system. Dendrochronology was used to verify the geological data at the inlet location. The Paleo-inlet was identified along the central portion of Debidue Island, 280-m south of the current property boundary. A four-stage model was developed to illustrate the evolution of the southern half of Debidue Island, including the opening and closing of “New Inlet”. Most recently, a state of the art 3D animation was produced in preparation for litigation. WHG recently provided expert testimony for this project.

Triton Way Homeowners Environmental Permitting and Revetment Repair – Project Manager
During the past twenty years, WHG has been serving individual homeowners along Triton Way, Mashpee, MA with environmental permitting and revetment repairs for a number of individual shore protection structures. WHG maintains the proper permits including local Orders of Conditions, and state and federal licenses to ensure that a number of individual clients whose homes are situated at the top of a coastal bank, along a severely eroding shoreline of Nantucket Sound, are always in compliance. In addition, WHG is responsible for performing quarterly site inspections at each of these properties and coordinating revetment repairs as necessary with local contractors, as well as lining up access agreements with adjacent homeowners and developers. WHG performs also the construction oversite during repairs and yearly beach nourishment.

TideWatch Condominiums, Mashpee, MA - Shore Protection Structure Rebuild – Project Manager/ Coastal Geologist
A structural damage assessment was first required to evaluate the extent of required repairs along the 600-foot sloping revetment along the Nantucket Sound shoreline in Mashpee, MA. The damage assessment consisted of a field inspection, including a survey intended to define the extent and depth of existing toe stones. WHG then performed an engineering evaluation of the existing structural design to determine the adequacy of the existing design for resistance to extreme storms. In conjunction with the damage assessment, an alternatives analysis was performed. The alternatives analysis defined a suite of repair alternatives; however, rebuilding the entire structure was found to be most appropriate. Once the engineering analysis was complete, all of the respective permits were secured. Finally, the construction specifications were drafted and contractor solicitation was performed. WHG also performed the construction oversite that included daily inspections and reporting to the Conservation Commission during the winter of 2004/2005, to ensure that the required toe stone depth was met. Upon completion of the project WHG was responsible for final compliance reporting.

Dune Restoration Design – South Shore of Long Island, New York – Project Manager/ Coastal Geologist
WHG has performed a number of coastal damage assessments for individual homeowners along the southern shore of Long Island, New York. Many of these included an analysis of storm damage protection ability of the existing coastal dune using the numerical model EDUNE. The purpose of the modeling is to identify the level of protection afforded by an existing dune during 10-, 50- or 100-year storms and to develop design specifications for the coastal dune that would result in enhanced storm damage protection and flood control. WHG defines the appropriate width and height of the dune and calculates the volume of fill required for the restoration. WHG also makes recommendations for planting and sand fence placement

Analysis of Contemporaneous Shoal and Shoreline Migration, Chatham, MA, Coastal Geologist.
A computer-based shoreline mapping methodology, within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework, was used to compile and analyze spatial and temporal changes between 1988 and 1999 within Chatham Inlet, Aunt Lydias Cove and along the adjacent Cape Cod National Seashore (North and South Beach).  The gross sediment transport pathway was defined and the time history of the flood shoals within Chatham Inlet and Aunt Lydias Cover were mapped using the most accurate data sources and compilation procedures available for use with aerial photography.

Analysis of Historical Shoreline Change for the Siasconset, Nantucket Coastline, Project Manager.
Performed a comprehensive analysis of historical shoreline change for a 4-mile shoreline segment at Siasconset, Nantucket.  Vertical aerial photography, digital orthophotographs and MA Coastal Zone Management shoreline change data were used to perform the analysis.  Rates of shoreline change were computed at 100-foot intervals along the study area.  The shoreline change analysis was used to determine historical shoreline change rates in the vicinity of existing wastewater treatment facility disposal beds along Low Beach Road, and to estimate future rates of change for management purposes.

Historical Shoreline Change Analysis: Cow Neck Farm, NY, Coastal Geologist.
Performed a comprehensive analysis of historical shoreline change along a 5-mile shoreline segment at Cow Neck Farm, NY.  Historical T-sheets, traditional aerial photography, and low-altitude, high-resolution digital photography were used to perform the analysis.  Rates of shoreline change were computed at 100-foot intervals throughout the study area.  The impacts of shoreline protection structures and storms on the historical rates of shoreline change were evaluated.

North Carolina's Inlet Initiative, North Carolina, North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, Assistant Project Manager.
Performed ArcView / GIS analysis of aerial photographs to compile historic database of inlet induced shoreline change. Constructed graphs and charts depicting parameter changes of selected inlets using Microsoft Excel. Delineation of inlet induced hazard zones for coastal land use planning.

A Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina's Inlets, North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant, Project Manager.
Utilized desktop scanners and publishing software to image and manipulate scaled aerial photographs for graphic presentation.  Compiled annotated histories describing individual inlet characteristics including inlet stability and migration, erosion and accretion patterns, tidal-delta morphology, inlet modification and dredging scenarios and future trends.  Assisted with final layout design.

Relationship of Hazard Zones to the Underlying Geologic Framework, North Carolina, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / National Undersea Research Center, Assistant Project Manager.
Collected, processed and interpreted sidescan sonar and seismic reflection profile data.  SCUBA diver retrieved vibracore and rock core samples, core processing, description, and grain-size analysis for seafloor mapping project.  Described local geologic framework and its relationship to hazard zones on adjacent shorelines.

Barrier Evolution at Coastal Headlands, North Carolina, SE/NE Coastal Consortium, Research Assistant / Project Manager.
Assisted in aGround Penetrating Radar investigation of barrier island evolution at coastal headlands in Southeastern NC.  Performed subsurface sampling for grain size analysis and stratigraphic correlation using pulse auger and vibracoring techniques.

Central Artery / Tunnel Project, Boston, MA, MA Highway Dept., Environmental Scientist.
Supervised the installation of soil borings and monitoring wells.  Sampled and characterized soil borings and groundwater samples for the MA Highway Department (MHD).  Coordinated DIGSAFE permitting for over two hundred proposed boring locations.  Supervised MHD sampling and analysis programs and underground storage tank removals.  Prepared necessary reports pertaining to individual sites.

Aquifer Restoration, Acton, MA, W.R. Grace, Environmental Scientist.
Monitored and performed qualitative measurements of site groundwater as part of an aquifer restoration project.  Implemented a phased post-excavation sampling and analysis program to verify the remediation of contaminated sediment and sludge from on-site disposal areas.

Publications and Presentations

Publications and Presentations 17
Technical Reports 18