Study

Region

Total
Estimated
Federal Cost

Allocation
Prior to
FY 1971

Allocation FY 1971

Tentative
Allocation
FY 1972

Additional to complete after FY 1972

The Edisto River Basin, South Carolina, is the third largest river basin in the Charleston District. The authorized survey is for the purpose of determining the need and economic justification for flood control and water resource development in the basin. It is an important source of municipal, industrial and agricultural water in the State of South Carolina. Flood damages experienced occur generally to agricultural lands in the flood plain. The recreational demand of the area is expected to increase in the future and the fish and wildlife resources of the basin are presently a major attribute. Industrial and population growth in the Edisto River Basin in recent years has increased the need for water resource development in the area.

The Islands are located about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are the largest Islands. Most of the 32,000 population live in urban areas. Primary industry is recreation and tourism. Problems under study are flood and water control, navigation and water supply. Water runoff rates in the area are extremely high during intense rainstorms; capacities of existing channels are inadequate. Floods occur often and considerable sediment and debris aggravate the problem. Business and residential areas of Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas Island have been flooded several times in recent years. In May 1960 damages exceeded $700,000. Flood hazards are increasing due to recent increases in development. In addition most of the subject area experiences severe shortage of potable water. Study would determine feasibility and justification of multipurpose water-resource facilities for St. Thomas. St. Croix, and St. John Islands.

Roanoke River, Upper Basin

(Above John H. Kerr Reservoir)

SA-G

$ 400,000

0 $

20,000

This is a review of a report printed as House Document Number 650, limited to the upper basin of the Roanoke River, The objective of this study is to formulate a plan of structural and non-structural deThe most urgent needs are flood protection and but excluding the Dan River Basin. velopment which will best meet the water resource needs of the upper basin. improvement of water quality between Salem, Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia. Water supply, hydroelectric power, irrigation, The principal tributaries of the Roanoke fish and wildlife conservation and recreation needs will also be investigated. The drainage area of the upper basin is approximately 2,820 square River, Upper Basin are the Blackwater and Pigg Rivers. miles. In 1970, there were about 292,200 people living in the basin.

$2,406,000

Tentative

$5,583,000

$2,056,000

$549,000

$ 581,000

The amount of $80,000 is requested for continuation of 4 studies during FY 1972.

Indian River County is located on the central east coast of Florida about midway between Jacksonville and Miami. length of ocean shoreline is 22 miles. Study is considered necessary for that entire length of shore. Erosion has been a Homes have been undermined and sections of public roads, highways, and streets have been washed out and damaged. Known problem areas include the shores of Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, Wabasso Beach and the shore south of Numerous shorefront structures installed by local interests have been generally unsuccessful to date in problem for years. Many vulnerable areas of high development exist. Study is to determine corrective measures necessary Sebastian Inlet. in the interests of beach erosion control, hurricane flooding protection, and related purposes. controlling erosion.

The principal

From Indian Pass westward to the mouth of Mobile Bay, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico has relatively straight shorelines and wide sandy beaches, backed by dune lines with elevations ranging generally from 10 to 15 feet above mean sea level. Most of the beach material along this reach is fine white sand composed of about 98 percent quartz. towns along this section of the coast are Port St. Joe, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, all in Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama. With increasing development of the shoreline, the construction of permanent structures has provided fixed references which make the general public aware of changes in the shoreline. The study area has about 196 miles of Gulf coastline of high-quality white sand beaches described previously. So far as is known all these beaches are presently experiencing erosion in varying degrees, with the exception of accretion on the ends of spits and shoaling in the inlets, and a few apparently stable reaches. Severe erosion is occurring at several locations, noticeably along the outer shoreline of St. Joseph Spit, at Mexico Beach, and, most seriously, throughout the entire length of Panama City Beach. The income derived from tourism along the Gulf Coast is greatly dependent upon the continued existence of the high-quality, white sandy beaches. The study will be primarily concerned with investigation of the causes of beach erosion along the Gulf coast within the study area and determination of the economic feasibility of controlling this erosion.

Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties form the coastal boundary of the state of Mississippi. The population of each of the counties is concentrated in coastal towns protected by seawalls. During the past 24 years the coastal towns have sustained extensive damages from three hurricanes, in 1947, 1965, and 1969. Tides along the counties • coast reached maximums of 15.2 feet m. s. 1. in 1947, 12.5 feet m. s. 1. in 1965 and 22.6 feet m.8.1. in 1969. During storms of these magnitudes, low-lying areas along Mississippi Sound and St. Louis and Biloxi Bays as far as 8 to 10 miles inland are flooded. Depth of flooding during Camille amounted to as much as 18 feet over the land. • Few natural beaches exist along the counties coast; however, hydraulic fills have been pumped against various stretches of seawalls. Depths in the 10-mile width of Mississippi Sound between the Mississippi Coast and the barrier beaches of Ship, Cat, and Petit Bois Islands range from about 8 feet a mile offshore to a maximum of 18 feet. Hurricane Camille, reportedly the most destructive storm to ever strike the North American Continent, inflicted over $337,000,000 in damages within the flooded areas in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson

Counties.

Improvements to be considered consist of hurricane barriers, levee systems, seawall construction and/or restoration, beach erosion control structures, and beach replinishment. Study cost estimate increased $408,000 of which $366,000 is for change in scope of study to include Harrison and Jackson Counties and $42,000 is for environmental studies.

The study area, Bogue Banks, extends from the western boundary of Fort Macon on the east shore of Beaufort Inlet to Bogue Inlet, a distance of 25 miles. The terrain, separated from the mainland by Bogue Sound, consists of dunes fronted on the ocean side by a sloping sandy beach. Several small communities are on the beach. Damages during Hurricane Hazel exceeded $2 million. Several hundred thousand cubic yards of sand are lost yearly. This study is to determine the feasibility of remedial measures to stabilize the shoreline, protect the area against hurricane damage, and enhance recreation which is very important to the economy of the area. The study cost estimate has increased $44,000 which includes $9,000 for salary increases and $35,000 for environmental studies.

A comprehensive Type II study of the Pearl River Basin has been made by cooperating Federal and non-Federal agencies. A report thereon was submitted to the Water Resources Council 4 November 1970. The purpose of the current study is to prepare an authorization report of those projects in the early-action program of the comprehensive plan that are the responsibility of the Corps of Engineers. The authorization report will cover a system of 3 multi-purpose reservoirs (Ofahoma, Cathage and Edinburg) above Jackson. The floods of February, March and December 1961 caused wide-spread damage in the basin. A serious water pollution problem exists on the Pearl River from Jackson to about 40 miles downstream. There is also a critical shortage of facilities in the basin for every class of water oriented outdoor recreation. The Pearl River Basin Development District, an agency of the State of Mississippi, has submitted a resolution indicating it will furnish the required local cooperation for the three multiple purpose reservoirs.