Storm-surge barrier key to Boston Harbor communities, experts say
Sea levels in the region are expected to rise 1.5 feet by 2050 and by twice that much by the end of the century, according to recent studies. But the damage has already started: In
"We are facing two separate threats and we need a layered defense system to deal with that," Golden said.
The solution, Golden said, is a storm-surge barrier much like the one that protects
Last year, researchers at UMass-Boston published a study concluding that the costs of a physical barrier in
But Golden, local engineers and
He said the gate system would extend about 25 feet above the mean low tide mark. It would typically allow for tides to flow in and out and leave 250-foot-wide openings for boats to navigate through. The gates could be closed at low tide leading into a storm to reduce the risk of flooding from storm surges, he said.
Golden said it has been difficult to generate interest in further studying the feasibility of a storm-surge barrier in the wake of the UMass study.
"This is something they are doing all over the world and even here in this country," he said. "This is something that needs to be studied seriously as a legitimate solution."
Several large coastal cities already have similar sea gate systems, including
"We need to stop acting as silos and look at how we can get people to look at the long term and focus on this issue," he said.
Wednesday's cruise around
So far,
With 27 miles of coastline and peninsulas such as Squantum and Houghs Neck jutting into the bay,
"
Golden,
"Hopefully, all of the other mayors around
Reach
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