HOUSE DOCUMENTS 75th Congress, 3d Session (January 3-June 16, 1938) EXAMINATIONS OF RIVERS VOL. 1 UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1938 3d Session No. 482 BEACH EROSION AT WILLOUGHBY SPIT, VA. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR TRANSMITTING A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, DATED JANUARY 7, 1938, SUBMITTING A REPORT, TOGETHER WITH ACCOMPANYING PAPERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, ON STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS OF BEACH-EROSION PROBLEMS AT WILLOUGHBY SPIT, VA., MADE BY THE BEACH EROSION BOARD, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF NORFOLK, VA., AS AUTHORIZED BY THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT APPROVED JULY 3, 1930, AND THE ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE 26, 1936 JANUARY 18, 1938.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed with 11 illustrations WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 10, 1938. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am transmitting herewith a report dated January 7, 1938, from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, with accompanying report on the cooperative investigation and study of beach-erosion problems at Willoughby Spit, Va., made by the Beach Erosion Board in cooperation with the city of Norfolk, Va., as authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved July 3, 1930, and the act of Congress approved June 26, 1936. Sincerely yours, HARRY H. WOODRING, 39872-38-1 WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, January 7, 1938. Subject: Cooperative investigation and study of beach-erosion problems at Willoughby Spit, Va. To: The Secretary of War. 1. I submit for transmission to Congress my report, with accompanying papers, on the study of beach erosion at Willoughby Spit, Va., made by the Beach Erosion Board in cooperation with the city of Norfolk, Va., as authorized by the River and Harbor Act approved July 3, 1930, and the act of Congress approved June 26, 1936. The study was initiated in compliance with a formal request from the city of Norfolk, Va., for a cooperative study to determine the cause of erosion along Willoughby Spit and the best method of protecting the beach. 2. Willoughby Spit is a narrow neck of land on the south side of the entrance to Hampton Roads, at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay. The width of the spit varies from about 450 to 1,750 feet, with an average elevation of 6.5 feet above mean low water. It has been developed as a recreational and summer residential area, and a paved street and trolley line run the length of the spit. 3. The spit has been inundated during storms accompanied by exceptionally high tides, and the tropical storm of August 23, 1933, caused damages amounting to over $200,000. Groins have been installed along the shore line to protect it from erosion, and between Fourth View Avenue and the tip of the spit there are at present 62 protective structures of various shapes and sizes. These groins were constructed between the period 1920-37, are of varying types and sizes, and were not built in any planned order of succession. No bulkheads have been constructed along the spit. The condition of the foreshore in the vicinity of the structures indicates that in some cases the beach is reasonably protected against erosive forces. 4. Willoughby Spit is ordinarily protected from the large waves by Horseshoe Shoal and Willoughby Bank. The study of shore-line changes and offshore depths shows a progressive loss of material along the front of Willoughby Spit, accompanied by a westward elongation and shoreward movement of the 6-, 12,- and 18-foot depth curves. The erosion of the shore line does not appear to be a result of an undercutting effect but of a concentration of longshore currents by the channel inside the bar which lies parallel to the shore. The set of the tidal currents along the front of the spit is such that winds of greatest fetch accelerate these currents during times of storm. The drift of sand is westerly. The spit has been changing its shape and size since the time of the earliest surveys and there has been a slow, progressive erosion except at the western end, which will continue unless checked by further protective works. 5. The Board finds that the present needs of the locality may be served by a system of structures extending along the entire length of Willoughby Spit, designed to protect against all waves and tides except the extremely high tides which accompany the severest storms. It proposes the construction of a substantially built bulkhead, with its top elevation about 8 feet above mean low water, running the entire length of the spit, with groins 275 feet in length extending seaward and perpendicular thereto at intervals of about 500 feet. It recommends that the 12 recently built groins be modified and lengthened to fit into the proposed protective works, and that the remaining groins be left in place or removed as desired by local interests. The Board estimates the total cost of the proposed protective works to be $632,000. It points out that a piecemeal construction of these protective works which does not begin at the leeward end of the spit may deprive sections of the beach to the leeward of their normal sand supply. In the opinion of the Board no Federal interests are involved, and it is not advisable for the United States to adopt a project for the improvement or protection of this locality. It finds that no share of the expense of any improvement that may be undertaken should be borne by the United States. 6. After due consideration of the report I concur with the views and recommendation of the Board. In view of the general value of the material contained in the Board's report I recommend that it, with its accompanying papers, be published. J. L. SCHLEY, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, BEACH EROSION BOARD, Washington, November 20, 1937. Subject: Cooperative Investigation and Study of Beach Erosion Problems at Willoughby Spit, Va. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. SYLLABUS The Board is of the opinion that the prevention of further erosion at Willoughby Spit, Va., can best be accomplished by the construction of a bulkhead and groin system as hereinafter described. In the event that the entire system cannot be installed at one time the construction should begin at the western end of the spit and be carried progressively eastward. Any other order of piecemeal construction may deprive beaches to the westward of their normal supply of sand. The Board is also of the opinion that there are no Federal interests involved in the protection of this beach and that no participation in its improvement by the United States is justified at the present time. I. INVESTIGATION ORDERED 1. Authority. Under the provisions of section 2 of the River and Harbor Act, approved July 3, 1930 (Public, No. 520, 71st Cong.), and of an act approved June 26, 1936 (Public, No. 834, 74th Cong.), a study and investigation of beach erosion at Willoughby Spit, Va., has been made by the United States (acting through the Chief of Engineers, the Beach Erosion Board, and the district engineer, Norfolk district) and the city of Norfolk, Va. 2. Approval. The study was initiated by formal application of the city of Norfolk, Va., dated March 23, 1937, and was approved by the Chief of Engineers, by fifth endorsement thereon dated May 5, 1937. 3. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to determine the causes of erosion along Willoughby Spit, from Fourth View Street westward |