salem
THE MAIN IMPACTS:
Erosion While offshore islands help to protect Salem, beach erosion is likely to continue to significantly threaten ocean- front homes and neighborhoods.
Marsh Loss About 12 (30%) of Salem’s 38 acres of high marsh may be mostly flooded by 2050 [CIT. 2].
Habitat Concerns By 2050, about 138 (54%) of the city’s 246 acres of estuarine beach/tidal flats may become open water [CIT. 2].
Developed Coast Ten-year storm flooding is likely around Salem Neck, Juniper Cove, Collins Cove Park, Memorial Park, and near Bridget Street around 2050. Similar flooding may occur near the Salem State campus area. Some daily tidal flooding is projected in these areas as well [CIT. 1,3].
OCEAN-FACING SHORELINE (11.6 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 in Salem may flood more than 1,095 buildings (9.5%) in 2050 [CIT. 3]. Chronic daily tidal flooding could impact 66 buildings (0.6%) in 2050 [CIT. 1].
Road Flooding Daily high tides may flood about .07 miles (0.5%) of roadway in 2050 [CIT. 1]. An estimated 17.8 miles (13.5%) of roadway could flood in a 100-year storm in 2050 [CIT. 3].
STRATEGY SNAPSHOT: LIVING SHORELINES
Salem is restoring fringing salt marsh at Collins Cove to create a living shoreline, an increasingly popular “green” technique that uses natural elements to buffer coasts against climate-driven impacts. Living shorelines improve coastal resiliency, water quality, and biodiversity, among other benefits. Volunteers with Salem Sound Coastwatch last year planted more than 15,000 salt marsh plants. When they become established, the marsh will reduce flooding from extreme high tides and storm surge, helping to protect the city’s popular recreational pathway and surrounding homes.