CHATHAM – Chatham’s northern inlet has been moving to the south over the past decade and a recent study projects that trend to continue.
Geologist John Ramsey, from Applied Coastal of Mashpee, recently presented findings of a $250,000 study to public. Ramsey says the changes through 2045 will be rapid in a geological sense.
“In present conditions obviously things at Minister’s Point are very severe, but we are expecting that effect to go to moderate or even minimal by 2045,” Ramsey said. “But it is going to be a progression towards that.”
Moderate conditions and impacts from storm surge and waves from Linell Lane to Thayer Lane are expected to get a bit worse but then better by 2045.
“Getting there is going to be a process,” Ramsey said.
The area from Thayer Lane to Lighthouse Beach should be protected by a strong barrier.
“Into the future we anticipate that being an area that really maintains minimal shore protection needs,” Ramsey said. “I think that area got enough action after the 1987 breach and maybe some of the people can breathe a sigh of relief – at least for the next couple of decades.
Severe flooding should remain for the Little Beach and Outermost Harbor area.
Quitnesset is currently seeing moderate impacts and Ramsey said predictions indicate that to become more severe from wave impacts.
“It’s unclear exactly where sand it going to weld to shore,” Ramsey said. “So that’s kind of the end of where North Beach Island is migrating to so we are trying to figure out where material migrates on to Morris Island and what kind of protection that is going to get by 2045.”
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