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Morris Island Lighthouse Erosion-Control Project Completed
The Charleston District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully completed the long-term erosion control project to help protect the Morris Island Lighthouse for future generations to come.
"We are very excited and proud to be a part of this effort to save this important national historic landmark," said Lt. Col. Trey Jordan, Commander of the Charleston District. “The Corps and our partners are all strongly committed to protect this South Carolina treasure for years to come.”
For over a century the lighthouse has weathered ocean currents, earthquakes, and hurricanes and has been in danger of being destroyed by these natural forces—especially in the form of erosion.
In 1875, the lighthouse was originally located on high ground more than a half mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Today, due to shoreline erosion, the lighthouse is now positioned approximately 2000 feet offshore of Morris Island, and sits in 10 feet of water where the depth of water changes seasonally.
In 1938, steel sheet piles were installed around the base of the lighthouse and capped with reinforced concrete slabs to prevent erosion of the wooden foundation. After being in an ocean environment over many years, the saltwater rusted away the steel sheet piles and the reinforced concrete cap separated into several large sections. The subsequent erosion of sand from underneath the lighthouse exposed the wooden timbers and piling to shipworms. The shipworms have eaten away at the wooden foundation further endangering the lighthouse.
When Save the Light contacted the Corps to assist them to design a long-term erosion control project to safeguard the lighthouse, several federal programs was considered. In the end, a Section 103--Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction project was utilized.
The completion of the construction of the Charleston Harbor jetties by the Corps in 1896 contributed to the increased shoreline erosion of Morris Island. After a brief study was performed to determine the percentage of shoreline erosion attributed to the Federal navigation project, the cost share percentages were adjusted to 87.5% Federal and 12.5% Non-Federal to offset the damages attributed to the jetties.
On October 13, 2006, a Project Cooperation Agreement was signed by the Corps’ District Commander and the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Budget and Control Board. The construction contract was awarded to Taylor Brothers Marine on 30 March 30, 2007.
On March 28, 2008, the Corps successfully completed the installation of a 45’ tall sheet pile ring, approximately 72' in diameter to form a cylinder around the base of the lighthouse with a rock apron outside the ring to reduce scour and erosion. Using the sheet pile ring will allow for future work to be conducted to the foundation of the lighthouse in a more protected environment.
This was a very challenging but very important project, and several obstacles were overcome to successfully build this erosion protection system for the lighthouse.
A major challenge was working in a marine environment in a very dynamic ocean and river inlet ecosystem. The site is located in very shallow open waters approximately 2000 feet from high land. Access by the contractor and the Corps inspector had to be made daily by water from at least eight miles away. Rough sea conditions and bad weather made it unsafe to transfer laborers, equipment and materials. Ocean conditions were such that instead of a floating barge, a jack-up barge was needed to provide a stable work platform.
Due to the pre-existing slight lean of the lighthouse and the age of the structure vibrations from any type of construction activity was a major concern. A vibration control plan, including constant vibration and lean monitoring during construction was crucial. Ultimately, the lighthouse incurred no damage during the construction of the erosion protection project.
Another challenge encountered was numerous submerged and buried obstructions discovered around the lighthouse.
Throughout the entire planning and construction process, everyone involved was extremely aware of the sensitive nature of this project and any negative impacts to our valuable historical, archaeological, and environmental resources. Everyone took great care planning and performing their work and as a result they have successfully protected both the environment and this irreplaceable Charleston landmark for many more years to come.
This project’s success is due to the great partnerships and working relationships the Corps has with the various Federal, state, and local agencies that are part of this endeavor. They include but are not limited to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Save the Light, Inc., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control OCRM, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Town of Folly Beach, as well as the contractor Taylor Brothers Marine and their subcontractor WPC.
Thanks to all involved in this erosion control project, the Morris Island Lighthouse is now protected for another 50-100 years.
