Four Seasons Resort Coastal Protection Program, Anguilla, British West Indies
« All Projects

ATM, a Geosyntec company, evaluated and provided solutions for coastal erosion and wave overtopping impacts that occurred along portions of the resort’s property.

We evaluated potential causes of and solutions to erosion and wave overtopping impacts that were occurring along portions of the resort’s property. After completing a site assessment and a preliminary coastal engineering evaluation, we proposed alternatives for cliff and beach stabilization along a portion of Barnes Bay. Detached breakwaters were also recommended for reduction of wave overtopping impacts occurring at two locations along a rocky headland feature on the property.

We deployed a wave and current meter and developed far- and near-field numerical modeling using hindcast and site data to further evaluate the coastal processes and to develop concept designs.

As part of the design, we implemented several numerical models including wave transformation (SWAN, BOUSS-2D), wave interaction with structures and cliff shorelines (COBRAS) and shoreline change/sediment transport (GENESIS). Design development resulted in two 140 ft long low-crested breakwaters consisting of 6-11-ton armor stone to reduce wave impacts at the headland, and four low-crested breakwaters and 15,000 cy of beach fill to nourish and stabilize the eastern end of Barnes Bay. We completed pre-construction monitoring of corals and seagrass, and performed coral relocations. Also, we provided limited construction phase services including physical and biological monitoring, as well as technical review and coordination of contractor construction activities.