In 2022 Bracken Engineering, Inc. (BEI) was retained to provide design and permitting services for the emergency restoration and stabilization of a portion of the Manomet Bluff in Plymouth, MA. An area of acute erosion caused a partial collapse of the bank, which eventually threatened the integrity of Manomet Avenue.
A comprehensive analysis of the existing conditions and the causes that led to the collapse resulted in a design that restored and stabilized the bank while also addressing the stormwater runoff that caused the initial instability.
The region’s sandy soils and glacially formed bluffs are naturally unstable and highly susceptible to erosion from wind, waves, and storms. Stabilizing coastal banks helps protect inland properties and infrastructure—homes, roads, and utilities—from storm surge and coastal flooding. Proper restoration (using native vegetation and bioengineering techniques) can reduce erosion naturally, extending the lifespan of the coastline.
Stabilization protects:
• Shoreline erosion
• Property and infrastructure
• Plant and animal habitats