Marblehead
THE MAIN IMPACTS:
Erosion Coastal erosion has already impacted two major underground feeder power lines at Leads Mill Rail Trail. The exposed coast and northeast-facing harbor are also highly vulnerable to storm damage.
Marsh Loss About 1.4 (10%) of Marblehead’s 15 acres of high marsh may be mostly flooded by 2050 [CIT. 2].
Habitat Concerns By 2050, about 15 (35%) of the town’s 43 acres of estuarine beach/tidal flats may become open water [CIT. 2].
Developed Coast Buildings and homes adjacent to shore- line could be affected by either 10-year storms or daily tidal flooding in 2050 depending on elevation [CIT. 1,3].
OCEAN-FACING SHORELINE (16.3 MILES) [CIT. 4]
Shoreline types below can overlap, not cumulative
FUTURE STORM AND TIDAL FLOODING [CIT 1,3]
Blue=Current Shoreline / Red=2050 Chronic Tidal Flooding (MHHW) / Yellow=2050 1% (1 in 100 year) storm flooding
OTHER RISKS INCLUDE:
Property Damage A 10-year storm may flood more than 320 buildings (3.6%) in 2050 [CIT. 3]. Chronic daily tidal flooding could impact 48 buildings (0.5%) in 2050 [CIT. 1].
Road Flooding Daily high tides may cause negligible flood- ing of roadways in 2050 [CIT. 1]. An estimated 3.8 miles (4.1%) of roadway could flood in the event of a 100-year storm in 2050 [CIT. 3].
STRATEGY SNAPSHOT: COASTAL EDUCATION
Marine science students from Marblehead Charter School’s Shark Club help to maintain and operate an oyster upweller aimed at restoring native shellfish populations, strengthening the natural coastal environment, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Oyster reefs, which are making a comeback nationwide, can form natural barriers that protect shorelines from erosion, tides and storm surge. First piloted by the Massachusetts Oyster Project in Gloucester, the restoration program, which will not release oysters into the harbor, is also designed to improve water quality and increase the diversity of sea life.