Sediment Transport Study for Artificial Reef, Maui

Sea Engineering, Inc. completed a numerical analysis of wave induced hydrodynamics and sediment transport routes in response to construction of a proposed artificial reef.  The concept design for the reef was located offshore of the eastern breakwater at Kahului Harbor, Maui.  The artificial reef was designed to function as a submerged breakwater that would help attenuate wave energy propagating into the inner harbor to reduce vessel motions at pier-side moorings.  Secondary uses of the artificial reef design included marine habitat enhancement or mitigation and surfing resource enhancement or mitigation.

The purpose of the modeling study was to evaluate if the entrance channel or other primary navigable areas of the harbor may incur significantly increased rates of sand deposition (shoaling) as a result of the proposed artificial reef construction.  The study also investigated the potential for negative effects to the stability of the existing jetties, such as erosion or scour occurring along the toe of these rubble mound structures.