Document Type

Research Report

Publication Date

5-2018

Keywords

Harbor-wide barrier systems, Shore-based climate adaptation, Climate resilience, Environmental impacts, Social vulnerability, hydrodynamic modeling

Disciplines

Civil Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management | Environmental Engineering | Environmental Studies | Hydraulic Engineering | Urban Studies and Planning

Abstract

This report presents a preliminary feasibility assessment of harbor-wide barrier systems designed to protect Boston Harbor from coastal flooding caused by sea level rise (SLR) and storm surges. Conducted by the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston and supported by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, the study evaluates two primary configurations: an Outer Harbor Barrier (OHB) and an Inner Harbor Barrier (IHB). Using hydrodynamic modeling, economic cost-benefit analysis, and social vulnerability assessments, the study finds that while both barrier systems may reduce risk from extreme storm events, they do not mitigate regular tidal flooding without frequent gate closures. Such limitations reduce their long-term operational viability and cost-effectiveness under projected climate conditions. The analysis also identifies potential negative impacts on marine ecosystems, navigation, and fisheries. The report concludes that multi-layered, shore-based adaptation strategies—including green and gray infrastructure and policy interventions—offer more flexible, equitable, and economically viable solutions for the near to mid-term. It recommends continued investment in these strategies while monitoring technological and climatic developments that may warrant reevaluation of large-scale barrier systems in the future.

Comments

PROJECT TEAM
Arcadis
Kelli Thurson, Brett McMann, Carly Foster, Heather Sprague and Hugh Roberts
UMass Boston School for the Environment
Mark Borrelli, Jarrett Byrnes, Robert Chen, Lucy Lockwood, Chris Watson
UMass Boston Urban Harbors Institute
Kimberly Starbuck, Jack Wiggin, Allison Novelly, Kristin Uiterwyk
Woods Hole Group
Kirk Bosma, Eric Holmes, Zach Stromer, Joe Famely, Alex Shaw, Brittany Hoffnagle
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Di Jin

PROJECT MANAGER
Rebecca Herst
Director, Sustainable Solutions Lab

PROJECT SUPPORT
Emily Moothart
Climate Resilience Research Assistant, Sustainable Solutions Lab
Courtney Humphries
PhD Student, IGERT Coasts and Communities Fellow
Robert L. Turner
Senior Fellow, McCormack Graduate School

STEERING COMMITTEE
Boston Harbor Now
Boston Green Ribbon Commission
Boston Planning and Development Agency
City of Boston, Environment Department Massachusetts Area Planning Council
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management MassBays National Estuary Program
Massport
North Cambridge Consulting
National Parks Service
New England Aquarium
United States Army Corps of Engineers

REVIEWERS
Boston Green Ribbon Commission – Bud Ris
Boston Harbor Now – Jill Valdes Horwood
City of Boston, Environment Department – Mia Mansfield, Carl Spector
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. – Chad Cox, Stephen Lecco, Daniel Stapleton, Bin Wang
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
MassBays National Estuary Program – Carole McCauley
MassPort – Michael Meyran
New England Aquarium – John Mandelman
Stevens Institute of Technology – Philip Orton
Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences – Malcolm Bowman
Tetratech – Bob Daylor, Jason Hellendrung, Mark Williams
UMass Boston – Ellen Douglas

INTERNATIONAL FEEDBACK
Deltares – Martijn de Jong

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to everyone who was interviewed or who provided feedback to this project. We are particularly indebted to the leadership and efforts of Bud Ris.

This report is sponsored by the Boston Green Ribbon Commission with generous support from the Barr Foundation. It was conducted by the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It is not an official document of the City of Boston or the Climate Ready Boston initiative.

These are preliminary recommendations from the authors of this report and do not represent the views of particular City of Boston agencies, the sponsors of the report, or the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Community Engaged/Serving

Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage

Publisher

Sustainable Solutions Lab

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