Pentwater, MI Wave Absorbers
Effectiveness Study
Description
Field Data Collection and Analysis Branch (FDCAB) deployed 5 wave gauges in the
vicinity of Pentwater, MI in support of a Monitoring Completed Navigation Projects
(MCNP) effort studying the effectiveness of the two pocket wave absorbers installed in
Pentwater Channel.
Pentwater Channel's vertical sheet pile walls reflected tremendous wave energy from Lake
Issue
Michigan storms adversely impacting the local pleasure fishing and boating industry. US
Army Engineer District, Detroit (CELRE) installed pocket wave absorbers in order to
dissipate the wave energy. CELRE contracted with FDCAB to deploy wave gauges in the
open lake and on either side of the pocket wave absorbers in order to quantify the
effectiveness of the wave absorbers.
Products
Transmission coefficients are computed based on comparisons of the measured changes in
wave energy. This information is provided to CELRE. The actual wave data has been
Five bottom mounted internally recording wave gauges were installed at Pentwater, one in
Supporting Technology
the open lake and one at either end of wave absorbers on north and south sides of channel.
Lake gauge collected directional wave data, channel gauges were non-directional.
From the results of this study, CELRE can determine effectiveness of pocket wave
Benefits
absorbers.
CELRE, MCNP
Sponsors
Margaret A. Sabol, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd CEERD-CHL-HF-FO Vicksburg, MS 39180
Point of Contact
. Additional information can be found at
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
22 Sep 2004
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (Project/Mission Support)
www.erdc.usace.army.mil
Previous Page
