The Impact Of High Water Levels On Shoreline

The Impact Of Water Levels On Shorelines & Shoreline Systems

Thu, Mar 11, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

The long-term history of water levels in the Great Lakes is cyclical. In the last three years, water levels have significantly exceeded historical averages due to increasingly intense storms and rainfall; because of this, shoreline protection has never been more important. Older seawall and shoreline protection systems, that were not designed for the current water levels, have been overtopped or submerged, resulting in erosion of the areas above and behind their original alignments. Because natural shorelines undergo a dynamic process of erosion and deposition, resilient designs are needed to adapt to these changes.

In this webinar, NTH experts will discuss their extensive experience with shoreline projects on the Great Lakes and Detroit River, evaluating current conditions and rehabilitating existing structures. They will also discuss appropriate solutions that can help private owners and municipalities alike adapt to the changing water levels, avoid property damage, and reduce maintenance and repair costs.

The Impact Of High Water Levels On Shoreline Speakers

Keith M. Swaffar, P.E.
NTH Chairman Emeritus

Mr. Swaffar has more than 42 years of engineering consulting and design experience on a wide range of projects including major infrastructure, institutional and environmental projects. Services have included project design development and studies, performing investigations to determine geotechnical and environmental conditions, shoreline rehabilitation, seawall condition assessments, development of engineering designs for the construction of new and the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure elements taking into account the need to maintain service to the public during all aspects of the construction as well as emergency response services associated with catastrophic failures. Keith has served as the principal in-charge for NTH’s efforts on the award winning Oakland Macomb Interceptor Drain as well as the geotechnical and construction inspection services associated with the substructure elements of the new Little Caesar’s Arena and ancillary structures. Mr. Swaffar has managed a wide variety of engineering projects for the firm over his career many of which have been selected as award winning efforts by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

Charles J. Roarty, Jr., P.E.
Senior Principal Engineer

Mr. Roarty offers over 38 years of experience in geotechnical, civil, shoreline, underground structural, and forensic engineering. Prior to joining NTH Consultants, Mr. Roarty served as a Field Engineer observing specialty geotechnical construction, as a Resident Engineer, and as a Zone Manager of construction contract administration staff for multiple airport construction contracts. Mr. Roarty has managed geotechnical investigations and design for various building, utility, shoreline, tunnel, and other underground projects as well as forensic investigations of failed underground structures. He has managed the emergency repair of underground conduits, failed slopes, underground and shoreline structures. He has managed several projects along the Detroit River involving the repair and/or adaptive re-use of former docks, wharfs and piers at former industrial sites repurposed for recreational use. Mr. Roarty also serves as a Quality Officer and Senior Vice President at NTH.

The Impact Of Water Levels On Shorelines & Shoreline Systems

​The Impact Of High Water Levels On Shoreline Speakers

The Impact Of High Water Levels On Shoreline Speakers