mR ABONMARCHE
Engineering + Architecture + Land Surveying
December 22, 2019
Mr. Brian Dissette, City Manager
City of South Haven,
539 Phoenix Street
South Haven, Michigan 49090
Re: Lake Michigan High Water Conditions and Resulting City Needs
Dear Mr. Dissette:
Per recent requests from City staff, Aeonmarche has prepared this letter to summarize
infrastructure needs that have resulted from recent Lake Michigan high water conditions.
These needs may threaten public health and safety and, therefore the City is evaluating the
costs for addressing the issues as soon as possible.
UNDERSTANDING.
Abonmarche understands the City will seek funding to address issues and to minimize the risk
of future issues from high water. Based upon projections from the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers,
water levels will remain high through 2020, so it will be important to address issues quickly
before they worsen.
We hope this letter will provide the general information needed to pursue funding to address
the City's needs during challenging conditions on the City's waterfronts,
SUMMARY OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
The City of South Haven waterfront includes both Lake Michigan coastline and the banks of
the Black River. High water conditions on Lake Michigan causes river levels to rise, especially
on the lower stretches of the Black River.
In addition fo the long-term elevated water levels, short-term events have occurred frequentiy
in recent years. Short-term events include wind setups, storms, and pressure-related events. On
the ground, these types of events have resulted in water level rises on the Black River
exceeding approximately two feet for periods of twelve fo twenty-four hours.
95 West Main Skt, Benton Morr, 49022 + 269.927.2295
‘ebonmercho.comMr. Blan Disette
City of South Hoven
High Water Conditions & Associcted Needs
December 22,209
Page 20f5
Both long-term levels and short-term events have resulted in infrastructure challenges, The
following list is intended to summarize the known infrastructure issues at this fime that will
require repair, reconstruction, and/or preparations. The list is not all-inclusive, but rather
intended to capture the issues which have occurred and the issues which are known to the
City at this time.
Costs presented herein are generally conceptual, except items which have been previously
studied. The 2019 City Capital improvements Plan provided budgetary costs for some of the
items listed herein, although it was prepared before water levels and issues reached the
current level of need. As each of the issues are addressed, more detailed engineering and
estimating con be completed as needed.
1. Coastal Erosion
Coastal erosion is occuring along both public and private Lake Michigan coastlines
within the City. Public properties along the coast include parks and City right-ofways
{ROWS}. In many cases, City ROWs end at Lake Michigan, leaving up to 64" of City
property. Some of the ROWs were armored with broken rip rap decades ago, but as
recent drone imagery shows, coastal erosion is occurring and supplemental protection
will be needed to minimize erosion and protect infrastructure. In many cases, ROWs
Include potable water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and other ulility infrastructure.
@. Location: City ROWs and parks
b. Estimated Cost: Varies by site; Total of $500,000 - 2,000,000
2. Riverbank Erosion
Riverbank erosion is occuring along the Black River. Aging seawall are constructed to
elevations that do not completely prevent overtopping and overwash scour. Inner
harbor revetments are eroding and sidewalks and bulkheads are being undercut.
Examples of recent damage include:
+ Sidewok damage and revetment damage along Water Street, downstream from
the South Side Marina
+ Sidewalk undercutting and retaining wall damage at the North side Marina
+ Riverbank settlement dawnstream of the North Side Marina
+ Riverbank erosion/destabilzation at South Side Marina and at Museum Marina
a. Location: Lower Black River
b. Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $2,000,000
camananogtan Sento na e829 Hp We Cayton neMr. Bhan Disette
City of Sours Hoven
ign Water Conditions & Associated Needs
Becomber 22.2019
Page 3of5:
3. Harbor Wave Propagation
Waves have historically propagated upstream into the Black River. During high water
conditions, this occurence results in damage to docks, boats, seawalls, revetments,
‘and other harbor components. Reduction of this wave energy wos studied in 2017 and
2018, with funding assistance from the State of Michigan through o Waterways Grant.
Several concepts were modeled using wave modeling and results indicated that the
construction of wave absorbers in each of the jetties would improve conditions in the
harbor for all users. Wave absorbers were constructed in several other Great Lakes
harbors by the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers.
@. Location: Lower Black River
b. Estimated Cost: $4,800,000 (wave absorbers}
4. Beach Erosion & Beach Nourishment i
High water conditions and storms have eroded beaches in the City. Beaches attract
Visitors and therefore ate a critical component of the tourism industry. Wide beaches
and gentle slopes can also help to dissipate waves and minimize upland flooding and |
overwash scour. To restore beaches for summer use, the City could pursue beach
nourishment. Typically nourishment is sourced from dredging of navigable waterways,
and deposition of sand onto the beach, as it was in 2019 in South Haven. Erosion along
the waterfront might have been worse had the nourishment not been completed in
2019. Another cycle should be considered in 2020. If channel dredging isn't needed,
the upland sand sources or sand reclamation from beyond the depth of closure could
be considered.
a. Location: City beaches
bb, Estimated Cost: $250,000 - 1,000,000
5. Marinas
All four of the City's marinas are att risk due to high water. All docks are fixed-height so
during high water conditions, water and ice can damage docks and utilities. At the
South Side Marina, high water may damage the boater services building due to its low |
finished floor elevation and location relative to Lake Michigan. During the boating
season, docks may not be useable due to high water over the docks, the need fo shut
‘off power for safety, or other associated reasons. Each of the marinas will require
modifications to support use during high water conditions in 2020. If no modifications
‘are completed, the marinas may need to be closed for portions of the season or the
whole season. Estimated costs for each facility below are approximate and further
analysis is needed to itemize needs.
=n aMr. bran Diet
City ef South Haven
High Water Condiions & Associated Needs
Decomber 22,2019
Page 4 of 5
@. South Side Marina
i, Location: Lower Black River
Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $1,000,000+
b. North Side Marina
i. Location: Lower Black River
ji, Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $1,000,000+
cc. Maritime Museum Marina
i. Location: Lower Black River
fi, Estimated Cost: $1,000,000 - 3,000,000+
di. Black River Park Marina
i. Location: Lower Black River
ii, Estimated Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000+
6. Stormwater Infrastructure
Several of the City's stormwater conveyance systems discharge to the Black River
and/or Lake Michigan. As the water level of the Black River has risen, stormwater
conveyance systems may back up, creating flooding and potential weakening at
connections. In addition, surface water entering the systems through catch basins or
inlets, may become backed up into roadways, parking lots, or buildings.
a. Location: Black River corridor
b. Estimated Cost: $ 250,000 - 500,000
7. Utility Infrastructure
Coastal erosion and/or riverbank erosion may threaten utility systems such as water
mains, sanitary sewers, electrical systems, and communications systems. The extent of
potential damage has not been stucied to-date.
@. Location: Coastlines and riverbanks
b. Estimated Cost: UnknownMz Bon Disette
City of Soulh Haven
High Water Conditions & Associated Needs
December 22.2019
Page 6 of 5
8. Flooding
Flooding along the Black River could cause damage to both private and public
infrastructure. As water levels rise, short-term/temporary flood protection measures may
be needed to maintain access to dwellings and businesses. The City could consider
purchase of temporary flood control systems for swift deployment during flood events,
a. Location: Black River corridor
'b, Estimated Cost: $20,000 — 50,000+
The total estimate cost of the projects listed above totals $8.5-million to $16.3-million {including
$4.8-milllon harbor wave mitigation), a figure that may grow if water levels continue to tise, or
as issues are worsened by winter storms. Further evaluation will be needed to further detail the
costs listed above, but we hope this list is of value as the City seeks funaiing,
Ifyou have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact me at (269)
926-4559,
icerely,
ABONMARCHE CONSULTANTS, INC.
Michael Morphey, PE, LEED AP
Sr. Project Manager
ce: Kate Hosier, Assistant City Manager/Harbormaster
Todd Newberry, Marina Manager
‘Christopher J. Cook, PE
Timothy R. Drews, PE, PTOE
Tony McGhee
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