Falmouth

The Town of Falmouth on Cape Cod has 26 miles of shoreline facing Buzzards Bay [CIT. 17]. The population of 31,104 triples in the summer months due to a robust tourism industry. Falmouth includes the village of Woods Hole, home to several research institutions and ferry service to the islands.

In the next 30 years, Falmouth is projected to experience a variety of impacts to both natural areas and developed areas along its coast (see Coastal Impact Matrix for details).

As soon as 2050:

DEVELOPED AREAS: Daily tidal flooding is projected to impact 219 buildings (2.7% of town buildings) [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood is projected to impact 1,386 buildings (17%), and a 100-year flood may impact 2,012 buildings (25%). Vulnerable neighborhoods include Chapoquoit, New Silver Beach, and Woods Hole. Also at risk in low-lying areas are utilities, sewer pump stations, and the scientific facilities along the Woods Hole waterfront [CIT. 5].

ROADS: Daily tidal flooding may impact four miles of roads (2.2% of town roads) [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood is projected to inundate 24.5 miles (13%), while a 100-year flood may inundate 34 miles (19%) [CIT. 5]. Vulnerable roads include causeways such as Chapoquoit Road and the Woods Hole Water and Albatross Streets, as well as residential roads such as Millfield and Gardiner.

SALT MARSHES: Sixty two percent (136 of 221 acres) of critical high marsh habitat may be lost by flooding or conversion to low marsh. Overall, about 17% of total marsh (43 of 257 acres) may be completely lost [CIT. 6]. Vulnerable areas include Great Sippewissett Marsh, the oldest studied salt marsh in the country, which has limited room to migrate.

BEACHES: 20 miles of shoreline are classified as beach [CIT. 17] and 3.1 miles of the coastline are publicly accessible (12%) [CIT. 16]. Falmouth is expected to experience increased erosion of its beaches, with high-risk areas including Wood Neck and Chapoquoit Beaches.

““Retreat is a real conversation the town is going to have to have, and it’s not an easy decision when you’re talking about people’s homes.” ”
— JENNIFER LINCOLN, FALMOUTH CONSERVATION ADMINISTRATOR

THE TOWN IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RESILIENCE PRIORITIES [CIT. 36 AND 37]:

  • Partnering to protect and restore Great Sippewissett Marsh.

  • Developing a retreat plan for coastal roadways.

  • Relocation of critical municipal and other facilities out of vulnerable areas.