Book Description

A field monitoring study of the Fisherman's Wharf breakwater was conducted as part of the Monitoring Completed Coastal Projects (MCCP) program. The Corps project referred to as the 'Fisherman's Wharf breakwater' in this report consists of a combination of three discrete reinforced concrete sheet-pile structures. The main detached breakwater is an impermeable vertical wall structure with additional support provided by batter piles. The other two structural elements are similar, except that they have openings to allow the passage of tidal flows. The breakwater is located on the north-facing waterfront of the city of San Francisco, California, adjacent to the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf small-craft harbor, bordered by Aquatic Park, Municipal pier, Hyde Street pier, and Pier 45. The site is subject to both local waves from fetches within San Francisco Bay and ocean-generated waves which penetrate to the site via the Golden Gate. The breakwater was designed primarily to attenuate the damaging short-period waves that are largest from the north to northeast directions. The breakwater also provides protection for the historic ships berthed at Hyde Street pier and allows for expansion and improvement of the commercial fishing berthing facilities. Concurrent requirements were to prevent increases in harbor oscillations (surge) and to permit sufficient tidal circulation to avoid degradation of water quality. Aquatic park, Coastal structures, Baffled breakwater, Current measurements, Coastal structure design.