mR ABONMARCHE Engineering + Architecture + Land Surveying December 22, 2019 Mr. Brian Dissette, City Manager City of South Haven, 539 Phoenix Street South Haven, Michigan 49090 Re: Lake Michigan High Water Conditions and Resulting City Needs Dear Mr. Dissette: Per recent requests from City staff, Aeonmarche has prepared this letter to summarize infrastructure needs that have resulted from recent Lake Michigan high water conditions. These needs may threaten public health and safety and, therefore the City is evaluating the costs for addressing the issues as soon as possible. UNDERSTANDING. Abonmarche understands the City will seek funding to address issues and to minimize the risk of future issues from high water. Based upon projections from the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers, water levels will remain high through 2020, so it will be important to address issues quickly before they worsen. We hope this letter will provide the general information needed to pursue funding to address the City's needs during challenging conditions on the City's waterfronts, SUMMARY OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS The City of South Haven waterfront includes both Lake Michigan coastline and the banks of the Black River. High water conditions on Lake Michigan causes river levels to rise, especially on the lower stretches of the Black River. In addition fo the long-term elevated water levels, short-term events have occurred frequentiy in recent years. Short-term events include wind setups, storms, and pressure-related events. On the ground, these types of events have resulted in water level rises on the Black River exceeding approximately two feet for periods of twelve fo twenty-four hours. 95 West Main Skt, Benton Morr, 49022 + 269.927.2295 ‘ebonmercho.comMr. Blan Disette City of South Hoven High Water Conditions & Associcted Needs December 22,209 Page 20f5 Both long-term levels and short-term events have resulted in infrastructure challenges, The following list is intended to summarize the known infrastructure issues at this fime that will require repair, reconstruction, and/or preparations. The list is not all-inclusive, but rather intended to capture the issues which have occurred and the issues which are known to the City at this time. Costs presented herein are generally conceptual, except items which have been previously studied. The 2019 City Capital improvements Plan provided budgetary costs for some of the items listed herein, although it was prepared before water levels and issues reached the current level of need. As each of the issues are addressed, more detailed engineering and estimating con be completed as needed. 1. Coastal Erosion Coastal erosion is occuring along both public and private Lake Michigan coastlines within the City. Public properties along the coast include parks and City right-ofways {ROWS}. In many cases, City ROWs end at Lake Michigan, leaving up to 64" of City property. Some of the ROWs were armored with broken rip rap decades ago, but as recent drone imagery shows, coastal erosion is occurring and supplemental protection will be needed to minimize erosion and protect infrastructure. In many cases, ROWs Include potable water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and other ulility infrastructure. @. Location: City ROWs and parks b. Estimated Cost: Varies by site; Total of $500,000 - 2,000,000 2. Riverbank Erosion Riverbank erosion is occuring along the Black River. Aging seawall are constructed to elevations that do not completely prevent overtopping and overwash scour. Inner harbor revetments are eroding and sidewalks and bulkheads are being undercut. Examples of recent damage include: + Sidewok damage and revetment damage along Water Street, downstream from the South Side Marina + Sidewalk undercutting and retaining wall damage at the North side Marina + Riverbank settlement dawnstream of the North Side Marina + Riverbank erosion/destabilzation at South Side Marina and at Museum Marina a. Location: Lower Black River b. Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $2,000,000 camananogtan Sento na e829 Hp We Cayton neMr. Bhan Disette City of Sours Hoven ign Water Conditions & Associated Needs Becomber 22.2019 Page 3of5: 3. Harbor Wave Propagation Waves have historically propagated upstream into the Black River. During high water conditions, this occurence results in damage to docks, boats, seawalls, revetments, ‘and other harbor components. Reduction of this wave energy wos studied in 2017 and 2018, with funding assistance from the State of Michigan through o Waterways Grant. Several concepts were modeled using wave modeling and results indicated that the construction of wave absorbers in each of the jetties would improve conditions in the harbor for all users. Wave absorbers were constructed in several other Great Lakes harbors by the U.S. Amy Corps of Engineers. @. Location: Lower Black River b. Estimated Cost: $4,800,000 (wave absorbers} 4. Beach Erosion & Beach Nourishment i High water conditions and storms have eroded beaches in the City. Beaches attract Visitors and therefore ate a critical component of the tourism industry. Wide beaches and gentle slopes can also help to dissipate waves and minimize upland flooding and | overwash scour. To restore beaches for summer use, the City could pursue beach nourishment. Typically nourishment is sourced from dredging of navigable waterways, and deposition of sand onto the beach, as it was in 2019 in South Haven. Erosion along the waterfront might have been worse had the nourishment not been completed in 2019. Another cycle should be considered in 2020. If channel dredging isn't needed, the upland sand sources or sand reclamation from beyond the depth of closure could be considered. a. Location: City beaches bb, Estimated Cost: $250,000 - 1,000,000 5. Marinas All four of the City's marinas are att risk due to high water. All docks are fixed-height so during high water conditions, water and ice can damage docks and utilities. At the South Side Marina, high water may damage the boater services building due to its low | finished floor elevation and location relative to Lake Michigan. During the boating season, docks may not be useable due to high water over the docks, the need fo shut ‘off power for safety, or other associated reasons. Each of the marinas will require modifications to support use during high water conditions in 2020. If no modifications ‘are completed, the marinas may need to be closed for portions of the season or the whole season. Estimated costs for each facility below are approximate and further analysis is needed to itemize needs. =n aMr. bran Diet City ef South Haven High Water Condiions & Associated Needs Decomber 22,2019 Page 4 of 5 @. South Side Marina i, Location: Lower Black River Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $1,000,000+ b. North Side Marina i. Location: Lower Black River ji, Estimated Cost: $500,000 - $1,000,000+ cc. Maritime Museum Marina i. Location: Lower Black River fi, Estimated Cost: $1,000,000 - 3,000,000+ di. Black River Park Marina i. Location: Lower Black River ii, Estimated Cost: $250,000 - $1,000,000+ 6. Stormwater Infrastructure Several of the City's stormwater conveyance systems discharge to the Black River and/or Lake Michigan. As the water level of the Black River has risen, stormwater conveyance systems may back up, creating flooding and potential weakening at connections. In addition, surface water entering the systems through catch basins or inlets, may become backed up into roadways, parking lots, or buildings. a. Location: Black River corridor b. Estimated Cost: $ 250,000 - 500,000 7. Utility Infrastructure Coastal erosion and/or riverbank erosion may threaten utility systems such as water mains, sanitary sewers, electrical systems, and communications systems. The extent of potential damage has not been stucied to-date. @. Location: Coastlines and riverbanks b. Estimated Cost: UnknownMz Bon Disette City of Soulh Haven High Water Conditions & Associated Needs December 22.2019 Page 6 of 5 8. Flooding Flooding along the Black River could cause damage to both private and public infrastructure. As water levels rise, short-term/temporary flood protection measures may be needed to maintain access to dwellings and businesses. The City could consider purchase of temporary flood control systems for swift deployment during flood events, a. Location: Black River corridor 'b, Estimated Cost: $20,000 — 50,000+ The total estimate cost of the projects listed above totals $8.5-million to $16.3-million {including $4.8-milllon harbor wave mitigation), a figure that may grow if water levels continue to tise, or as issues are worsened by winter storms. Further evaluation will be needed to further detail the costs listed above, but we hope this list is of value as the City seeks funaiing, Ifyou have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact me at (269) 926-4559, icerely, ABONMARCHE CONSULTANTS, INC. Michael Morphey, PE, LEED AP Sr. Project Manager ce: Kate Hosier, Assistant City Manager/Harbormaster Todd Newberry, Marina Manager ‘Christopher J. Cook, PE Timothy R. Drews, PE, PTOE Tony McGhee Amanat ei SHNghemd\'# 2gh Warner Cyl dadh owen