Dedicated State Effort Needed To Repair Breachway

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As most know, a breachway connects Ninigret Pond with the Atlantic Ocean on Block Island Sound. There are two jetties (seawalls) on each side of the channel. As many also know, winter storms caused considerable damage to the west seawall and large amounts of sand to shoal in the channel.

The Salt Ponds Coalition describes the situation as follows:

Issues with the Charlestown Breachway can be traced back to Hurricane Sandy when the huge sand dune along the west wall of the breachway was washed away, dumping large amounts of sand and filling the channel. The channel was dredged and eventually cleared. Efforts were made to restore the dune line with fencing and to decrease recreational vehicle use in the area in order to allow the dune to rebuild itself. However, the fences were knocked over, vehicle traffic continued, and the beach became flatter. The past couple of years, relentless pounding of the winter storms finally broke through and washed over this flattened area, collapsing part of the west seawall into the channel. Not only did the wash-over damage the wall area, but it also threatened to bury some of the newly restored saltmarsh.

The town’s GIS Director Steve McCandless gave a presentation about the situation at the Salt Ponds Coalition Annual Meeting on August 19 and described the efforts of the Charlestown Breachway Restoration Project Advisory Group, which includes the town of Charlestown, Salt Ponds Coalition, University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, and Save the Bay.

There is a plan to increase the resiliency of the breachway so it can support critical habitat for flora and fauna and help to ensure the continued viability of Ninigret Pond for the future. The plan would involve repairing the west seawall to help prevent future filling of excess sand in the pond and to enhance the barrier dune habitat. Dredging will also be needed to clear out the current sand blockage in the breachway.

A dedicated effort by state agencies will be needed, and the project will require cooperation from many different entities, including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental (RIDEM), the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and the town of Charlestown. RIDEM owns the property adjacent to the breachway and the seawall itself, and CRMC is the lead agency governing the state’s waters.

Ninigret Pond is important as a nursery for a variety of fish and shellfish and is home to commercial aquaculture farms. U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, the state-managed Ninigret Conservation Area, residential homes, and marinas are situated on the pond. A variety of groups, including recreational boaters, recreational fishers and shellfishers, and birders, use the pond.

Issues of major concern are:

  • Water Quality: The current conditions in the breachway are causing a reduction in water circulation and flow which in time will lead to a deterioration in water quality. Dissolved oxygen may decrease in the ponds while temperature, as well as nutrient and bacteria concentrations, increase. Eventually, this will result in increased algal blooms (which are already an existing problem) as well as decrease the overall health of Ninigret Pond.
  • Safety: Ninigret Pond is used for recreation including boating, fishing, paddling, and other activities. The breachway is no longer navigable, there is an increased likelihood of accidents and injuries to boaters and other users.
  • Business: The ponds are also a centerpiece to the residents in the community and visitors to the area and a source of the state’s reputation as a major shellfish producer. The current shallow conditions and lack of flow in the ponds are already starting to financially affect local businesses—including marinas and bait and tackle shops—and will eventually affect aquaculture farms and others when water quality deteriorates.

If you are concerned, you are urged to contact Rhode Island’s Governor, Senators, and Representatives to let them know of your concerns:

The banner image is a photograph of the Charlestown Breachway by Cliff Vanover before the west wall collapsed.