News Release
| Release Number: | 99-054 |
| Dated: | 6/7/1999 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- On June 9, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will join the Port of Newport, Ore., to ceremoniously dedicate completion of the North Marina Breakwater and its extension. The marina is home to about 300 commercial fishing boats.
In April 1999, after 10 months of work, the Corps completed replacement of the deteriorating breakwater. The replacement follows the May 1998 completion of the 180-foot-long stone extension.
"The extension is working as designed," said Corps project manager Chuck Mason. "Since its completion, port staff and boat owners seem to have successfully acclimated to the narrower but safer entry."
The extension reduces the width of the port's west entry to reduce damage to boats and docks from storm surges. The Port of Newport served as the project's non-federal sponsor, sharing the $1.2 million cost.
It was during analysis of the extension that engineers discovered extreme deterioration of the original breakwater, which was constructed in 1947 of heavy timber. Though the structure protected the marina well beyond its anticipated life, Mason said it was in dire need of replacement.
The best engineering solution, he said, was a composite structure of steel piles and wood lagging, with stone protection at the waterline. The breakwater replacement took 10 months and $2 million to construct. Because of the original project authorization, the cost was paid entirely by federal funds. <p.The Corps manages more than 30 jetties and breakwaters along the entire length of the Oregon coast from Astoria south to Brookings. The Corps began building jetties along Oregon's coast more than 100 years ago to help mariners navigate between the Pacific Ocean and coastal ports. Most of the structures are made of rock and gravel, though some are solid concrete or wood and metal.
Through the years, additional work has been performed on the jetties-strengthening them, making them longer, adding spurs. Despite these moves to prolong their life and usefulness, the structures are not immune to the effects of nature. Visitors to the coast should avoid these structures because of their hazardous potential.