Prevention of Erosion in Hooper Bay, Alaska

Abstract

Many rural communities in Alaska are at risk of losing infrastructure to erosion. One of these communities is Hooper Bay, on the west coast of Alaska. According to predictions generated by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, several hundred feet of airport runway and road will be exposed to erosion between the years of 2015 and 2075. While the runway’s current erosion mitigation measures are effective, overtopping and the depositing of debris remain an issue. There are currently community measures underway to elevate the endangered section of road, and there are plans to implement more rigorous protect in place measures within the next 10 years. A salient is present on the coast south of the runway that is slowly moving north. The exact mechanics behind its formation and movement are not known, but it may provide natural beach nourishment to the beach near the runway within the next 15 years. Continued observation, data collection and research is required to identify effective, long term solutions to the erosion problem, but the measures currently in place, being implemented, and planned should provide short term protection.