Protecting our Beaches

Presentation on theme: "Protecting our Beaches"— Presentation transcript:

Protecting our Beaches

By: Samantha Nickerson, Sam Nicholson,

Kaileigh

Skinner and Brian MacDonald and Jacob ArsenaultMentor: Katie Renner

The

Great

Wall of

Nova Scotia

The Problem

Over time, Nova Scotia’s coastline will erode to the point where Nova Scotia no longer has beaches. If we do not do something about this, our habitat along with many other species habitats in our province will be washed away by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Our Proposal

Our proposal is to have the Canadian Government place a structure called a Breakwater in areas of the coastline in Nova Scotia that has been most affected by erosion.

What are Breakwaters?

Breakwaters are like walls but in the water. They are designed to block the waves from eroding beaches or land.

Breakwaters are constructed off the shore. When waves hit it, the breakwater blocks them and thus creates a calmer area of water between the breakwater and the shore. This helps protect the beach from erosion.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/35606-extreme-engineering-breakwaters-to-save-venice-video.htm

Types of Breakwaters

1) The Fixed BreakwaterAnd2) The “Mobile Harbour”

The Fixed Breakwater

These breakwaters can’t be moved; they are permanent structures.They are usually made of hollow concrete blocks.They can also be made out of recycled material such as furnace slag and fly ash.

Advantages to the Fixed Breakwater

Can withstand storms

They work well in shallow waters

Once built, it can last for a long time

Safe from all elements

The Mobile Harbour

These breakwaters can be moved because they are floating.The Mobile Harbour is similar to a dock, where it has a concrete base and a wooden top is tethered to the base.

Advantages to the Mobile Harbour

Allow free circulation of water, and still offer protectionFish can still move underneathIt can be removed if there is a problem/damage to the breakwaterCan be made easily in factoriesCan be moved easily in to deeper waters

Flaw with Breakwaters

One major flaw with breakwaters is that if they are not long enough, the water can push around the sides of the breakwater and erode the parts of the beach that it does not protect. This can eventually create a “peninsula” in the beach

Our Solution to this Flaw

Our solution to this flaw is to create open spaces in the breakwater to allow water to still flow through evenly, and not create peninsulas.These spaces can also be used as passages for boats through the breakwater.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we feel that using breakwaters will protect our beaches effectively from erosion and storms. If we place breakwaters where they are needed in Nova Scotia, we will be able to enjoy our beaches for years to come.

Thank

You!

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakwater_(strucure)

http://www.answers.com/topic/breakwater

http://www.superfloats.com/breakwaters/fixedbreakwater.shtml

http://www.superfloats.com/breakwaters/floatingbreakwater.shtml