possible flood adaptation strategies for catskill, ny

Possible Flood Adaptation Strategies for Catskill, NY

Catskill Waterfront Flooding Task ForceFebruary 27, 2014

Based on Urban Waterfront Adaptive Strategies by NYC Dept. of City Planning

Factors to Consider

Scale - parcel, reach, community

Timeframe - short (<2yrs), mid (2-10yrs), long (>10yrs)

Technical/regulatory feasibility - known, unknown

Environmental impact - positive, neutral, negative

Residual Risk >100 year storm – high, low

What: Using water-tight materials to resist water during

temporary submersion

Applicability: Buildings with water-resistant walls and foundations

in areas likely to experience only low level stillwater flooding

Example: Flood shield on commercial building

Dry Floodproofing

Dry Floodproofing

Factor Score Notes

Parcel

Short-term

Known FEMA encourages floodproofing

Neutral

High

Other

What: Structure designed or retrofitted to allow water to flow through with minimal

to no damage

Applicability: Buildings with floodable or portable first floor use, e.g., storage and

parking spaces

Example: Steelhouse

Restaurant and Clearwater

Home Port, Kingston, NY

Wet Floodproofing

Wet Floodproofing

Factor Score Notes

Parcel

Short-term

Known FEMA encourages floodproofing

Neutral

High

Other

What: Utilities relocated above flood elevation

Applicability: Structures with flexibility for

utility location

Example: Elevated air conditioner and

basement systems

Protect/elevate building systems

Protect/elevate building systems

Factor Score Notes

Parcel

Short-term

Known FEMA encourages floodproofing

Neutral

High

Other Relatively inexpensive

Elevate on piles

What: Raise a new or existing structure on piles or columns to reduce risk of wave action and flooding

Applicability: Detached, low-rise structures

Example: New Paltz, NY and New Orleans, LA

Elevate on piles

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach

Short-term

Known FEMA encourages elevation

Neutral

High

Other Allows use to continue in near-term

What: Structure raised on fill above flood elevation

Applicability: Parcel with enough space

for elevation and access

Example: Piermont condominiums

Elevate on Fill

Elevate on Fill

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach

Mid to Long-term Expensive

Known Challenging to permit in floodway

Negative to neutral Can affect habitat in shoreline areas and movement of water in floodway

High

Other Can affect neighboring properties

What: Structure built to float on the water during a flood

Applicability: Waterfront areas with lower risk of high energy wave action

Example: New Orleans, LA

Amphibious Structures

Amphibious Structures

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown New technologies emerging (i.e. retrofit)

Negative to Neutral May affect shoreline habitat quality

Medium to High

Other Requires attention to long term access and infrastructure, may not meet insurance standards

What: Structure built to float on the water at all times

Applicability: Waterfront areas with lower risk of high energy wave action

Example: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Floating Structures

Floating Structures

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown New technologies emerging

Negative to Neutral May affect shoreline habitat quality

Medium to High

Other Requires elevated or floating access and infrastructure

What: Elevating land and/or streets to bring structures above flood elevation

Applicability: Low-lying areas undergoing redevelopment/new infrastructure

Example: Overdiepse Polder, Netherlands

Elevation of land and streets

Elevation of land and streets

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid-term Significant investment

Known

Negative or neutral May have shoreline habitat impacts

High

Other

Waterfront parks and open space

What: Open spaces designed to buffer and potentially hold floodwater on site

Applicability: Areas suitable for parks and open space

Example: Riverwalk Park, Tarrytown and Iona Marsh

Waterfront parks and open space

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach

Short-term

Known

Positive Habitat, water quality and stormwater benefits, if done carefully

Low

Other Allows for public access and recreational uses

What: Deployable walls that prevent floodwaters from passing

Applicability: Sheltered areas with low wave action

Example: Kampen, Netherlands

Deployable Floodwalls

Deployable Floodwalls

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Short to Mid-term

Known

Neutral

High Failure and overtopping

Other

Strategic relocation

What: Relocating existing or limiting new development in the highest risk areas

Applicability: Areas of low development and/or highest vulnerability

Example: Toronto, Canada and Staten Island, NY

Strategic Relocation

Factor Score Notes

Parcel, Reach, Community

Mid to Long-term Can be politically challenging

Known

Positive Provides for shoreline habitat and wetland migration

Low Greatest reduction in long-term risk

Other May require available upland sites for relocation of uses

What: Stone rubble or concrete block structures that dissipate wave energy and

prevent shoreline erosion

Applicability: Sloped shorelines that require

erosion protection but don’t require deep

water access. Vegetation can be added.

Example: Hudson River

Revetments

RevetmentsFactor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-Term

Known Along much of Hudson River

Negative to Neutral Can have some ecological value with plantings

High Primary function is erosion control

Other Height adaptable. Must be combined with other features to reduce flood risk

Engineered Ecologically- Enhanced Shorelines

What: Shoreline treatment that provides erosion control, bank stabilization and

ecological value using natural features

Applicability: Shorelines with low wave action and slope

Example: OPRHP boat launch in Coxsackie

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid-term

Known New technologies emerging

Neutral to Positive Can improve shoreline habitat value

High Primary function is erosion control

Other Height adaptable, must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk

Engineered Ecologically-Enhanced Shorelines

Bulkheads

What: Vertical walls that stabilize the shoreline, prevent erosion and protect from

low level flooding and wave action.

Applicability: Limited space, deep water access, existing hard shorelines, and

working waterfronts

Example: Hudson River, Town of Lloyd

Bulkheads

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid-term

Known Currently along Hudson

Negative Very limited habitat value

High Failure and overtopping

Other ~30 year lifespan, required for deep water access

What: Massive stone, rock or concrete walls built on the shoreline to resist wave action and flooding.

Applicability: Highly vulnerable developed areas

Example: Manhattan

Seawalls

Seawalls

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown

Negative Very limited habitat value

High Failure and overtopping

Other ~30 year lifespan, access and view of waterfront impacted

What: Earthen embankments at shoreline that protect large areas from flooding

Applicability: Areas with valuable assets and access to wide swath of shoreland for levee

Example: New Orleans, LA and Waal River, Netherlands

Levees/Dikes

Levees/Dikes

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-term Significant investment

Unknown May be challenging to permit

Negative to Neutral Depends on shoreline design

High Failure and overtopping

Other

What: New or restored tidal wetland that dissipates wave action and creates habitat

Applicability: Low-lying coastal areas

Example: Jamaica Bay, Queens

Constructed Wetlands

Constructed Wetlands

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown New technologies emerging

Neutral to Positive Can improve coastal habitat

High Not designed to reduce flood elevation

Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk

What: Offshore structures that reduce wave action

Applicability: Areas with shallow water and

strong foundation soils

Example: Brooklyn and Rondout Harbor, Kingston

Breakwaters Artificial Reefs

BreakwatersArtificial Reefs

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown May be challenging to permit

Neutral to Positive Some designs may enhance habitat

High Not designed to reduce flood elevation

Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk

What: Planted mats or structures that reduce wave action and can restore habitat and improve water quality

Applicability: Sheltered, shallow coastal areas with low wave energy

Example: Isle de Jean Charles, LA

Floating Islands

Floating Islands

Factor Score Notes

Reach

Mid to Long-term

Unknown May be challenging to permit

Unknown

High Not designed to reduce flood elevation

Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood riskRisk breaking loose in high wave action