Sea Level Rise Affecting Coastal Structures in Naval Station Norfolk

Abstract

Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval installation, and it is located in an area experiencing one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise in the U.S. In order to protect the operability of the naval base, it is necessary to quantify the extent of flooding and its effects on local infrastructure. This includes researching tidal trends, projecting flood levels, and making risk assessments based on relative elevation and land topography. The objective of this work is to outline the impact of sea level rise and storm surge in Naval Station Norfolk, analyze what is currently being done to combat flooding, and propose a solution to protect the naval base based on predictions of future sea level. The flood protection design consists of a 6’ floodwall and levee combination that aims to protect essential buildings in the central and pier-side sections of the naval station. Additionally, a parking garage is designed that will keep over two thousand cars above water in case of a major storm. It is also recommended that the base and the City of Norfolk proceed with proposed projects in Willoughby Bay watershed and Lafayette River inlet that lie in adjacent areas to this flood design. The results of the flood design indicate that the estimated costs are feasible within the annual Department of Defense C-1 construction budget. This design is one of many possibilities that Naval Station Norfolk can use to combat sea level rise and protect valuable assets on the base. The considerations made for Naval Station Norfolk can also be applied to other naval bases around the U.S. in order to encourage coastal resilience in the face of rising seas.