REDESIGN OF ENTRANCE STRUCTURES FOR TWO SMALL CRAFT HARBORS IN OHIO

Abstract

Wildwood Harbor and Chagrin River are two areas on Lake Erie at which intensive boating activities occur throughout the recreational months of April through October. At Wildwood Harbor (Figure 1) an enclosed basin exists with a relatively open mouth which allows excessive wave activity to enter. These waves often focus directly on the launch ramp opposite the entrance. At Chagrin River [Figure 2) a major project was recently completed to stabilize the river entrance which had experienced substantial shoaling, and to help prevent winter ice blockage. The jetties and associated spending beach in the River worked well to prevent continuous shoaling and allow the river to flood and carry the ice lakeward; however, significant reflected waves resulted from this construction affecting navigation through the entrance and boats in the adjacent Yacht Basin.