Performance of Beach Fill and Nearshore Breakwaters at East Ocean View Beach, Norfolk, VA

Over the past decade, the City of Norfolk, USA has financed design and construction of multiple nearshore breakwater fields and numerous beach fill projects. In 2005, an assessment of historical shoreline conditions was performed to evaluate the need for an extension of an existing breakwater field in conjunction with periodic nourishment. Based on the shoreline assessment, it was recommended that the breakwater field be extended. Three additional breakwaters at East Ocean View were designed and constructed in June 2006. Since construction, salients have formed under the local wave climate and have been maintained since construction. Periodic monitoring surveys are used to evaluate shoreline response in the vicinity of the structures and along East Ocean View beach. Monitoring will serve as the basis of design guidelines for future detached breakwater and fill placement design.