 |
 |
| FTP Sites | Corporate Profile | Projects | Key Staff | Employment Opportunities | Clients | Contact Us |
      |
|
|
Engineering Disciplines
Services
|
OtherMalibu Coastline Reconnaissance, Los Angeles County, CA.NCI performed a reconnaissance-level assessment of coastal storm damage potential for the urbanized Los Angeles County shoreline. Work included the analysis of baseline and return frequency coastal parameters, prediction of future beach erosion and wave-related property damage, formulation of alternative plans to mitigate structure and infrastructure losses, and design and cost estimates. A computer model SBEACH was applied to determine the vertical scour as well as the horizontal erosion on beaches during various storm like events. Storm damage scenarios to the public and private coastal structures were characterized, and alternative measures and cost estimates to mitigate the storm damages were formulated.
BEACON Beach Nourishment Demonstration Project, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, CA.NCI prepared the oceanography section of the EIR document to assess impacts associated with construction of a nearshore sand berm. Baseline condition descriptions included discussion of the dominant littoral cell, tides, currents, wave climate, and littoral processes. Criteria were established to evaluate impacts to offshore borrow site areas; nearshore wave conditions due to nearshore sand berms; littoral transport effects; and potential beach changes. Impact assessment also included analysis of conventional and hopper dredge sand delivery, diffusion of the proposed artificial fills, and consideration of alternative beach nourishment techniques. El Segundo Marine Terminal, El Segundo, CA.NCI performed a detailed study to assess the effects of a groin and beach fill improvement on recreational surfing. The study was conducted in accordance with requirements set forth by the California Coastal Commission permit conditions. The local and regional physical oceanography was analyzed to describe the time history of wave climate, surf break, and shoreline conditions that occurred within the affected area. Surf quality parameters were identified and evaluated to provide a more quantitative means of assessing the potential for impacts to quality surf conditions. Impact discussion focused on the effects due to natural littoral process, climatic variability, and project influences. Siltation Investigation at Federal Maritime Administration Anchorage No. 26, Suisun Bay, CA.NCI performed estuarine hydrology, hydraulics and sedimentation analyses to investigate the causes of shoaling and to provide potential long-term engineering solutions for reducing siltation at the docking facilities. Services included the field monitoring of currents, water quality and suspended sediments, along with a bathymetric survey. Alternative mitigation solutions and cost estimates were developed. Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, Seabrook, NH.In performing the hydrologic engineering section of the PSAR and FSAR Safety Reports for the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, Noble Consultants analyzed the probable maximum coastal and riverine flood events and their effects on the plant site. Noble then developed engineering designs, plans and specifications for required plant site flood barriers.
Bolsa Chica EIR, Huntington Beach, CA.NCI assisted in the draft EIR review for the purpose of identifying technical completeness with respect to coastal and water quality related issues. The evaluation included review of impacts associated with construction of a new tidal inlet, dredging of back bay wetlands, and re-routing of urban flood control channels. Assistance was rendered so that constructive comments to the EIR document could be submitted to clarify ambiguities, questionable assumptions, or incomplete information. .
Ventura Harbor Bypass Feasibility Study, Ventura Harbor, CANCI has been contracted through the Ventura Port District to prepare the coastal engineering appendix for the Ventura Harbor Sand Bypass System and Regional Beneficial Reuse Feasibility Study for Ventura Harbor, California. The purpose of the study is to design an efficient and economically viable fixed artificial sand bypass system and to determine the feasibility of beneficially reusing the bypassed sediment for beach nourishment and storm damage protection on a regional level. The design work associated with the fixed artificial sand bypass system consisted of the review of historic dredge and disposal data, bathymetric survey data, disposal site characteristics, and geotechnical information to develop bypass system alternatives that included operation, maintenance, repair and replacement analysis, as well as a detailed design of the recommended plan alternative.
Ventura/Santa Barbara Reconnaissance Study, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, CA.
Final Expedited Reconnaissance Study Lower Santa Ana River Watershed, Orange County, CA.
Newport Coast Planned Community, Newport Coast, CA.NCI's service consisted of a third party independent review of the hydrologic, sediment yield, and coastal processes issues, technical documents, results, and conclusions that were prepared by numerous consultants working for the Irvine Company (TIC) pertaining to their planned development of Newport Coast Phase IV-3 and IV-4 that were under Coastal Commission Appeal. Phase IV-3 and IV-4 consist of 1,062 acres extending from the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway fronted by Crystal Cove State Park to the ridge of the San Joaquin Hills Corridor, and falls within the Muddy Canyon/Los Trancos watersheds. The project consists of 635 residential homes, 32 acres of recreational development, 298 acres of dedicated open space lands, and the construction of commercial development and backbone infrastructure.
Our scope of services included the following tasks: 1) independent examination of the appropriateness of the modeling to the project site; 2) independent examination of hydrologic assumptions, input, modeling results and conclusions; 3) independent examination of assumptions, input and results of sediment yields, grain size and littoral area; 4) site visit with Commission staff and TIC personnel to facilitate review of hydrologic and hydraulic material; 5) independent assessment of the major causes of bank channel formation and the management program; 6) independent assessment of compliance with agreed-upon standards; recommendations for ways to improve or modify the project, either to reach compliance or reach compliance in the least environmentally damaging manner; and 7) attendance at Commission staff meetings and Commission hearings. Hydrologic & Hydraulic Feasibility Study, Phase II, Bel Marin Keys, CA.NCI is currently under contract with the Corps of Engineers (San Francisco District) to perform on-call design services for navigation and water resources projects.
|
© Noble Consultants, Inc. | |
The regional beneficial reuse component of the study was initiated to determine the feasibility of providing additional benefits to the shoreline extending from Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County to Point Mugu in Ventura County. The work associated with this task consisted of gathering and estimating fluvial delivery from the Ventura and Santa Clara Rivers, and surmising the sediment budget through existing reports and beach profile analysis. NCI also performed Monte Carlo type numerical model simulations to rectify the shoreline changes that would occur under the influence of various Santa Clara River discharges, backpass volume deductions, and wave-induced sediment transport rates. Problem areas were identified and a range of small import fill scenarios consistent with logistical limitations of delivery and practical benefit were developed. The reuse alternatives then formed the basis of a regional sand management plan designed to define parameters and establish logistics to distribute bypassed material to areas requiring sand replenishment. As part of the sand management plan, a monitoring program allowing real time analysis of sand deficit versus surplus areas was recommended for implementation.
NCI performed a reconnaissance-level assessment of potential storm damage reduction along the 150-mile shoreline within Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Under the furture-without-porject conditions, erosion prone coastal reaches as well as potential coastal flooding and storm damage shoreline segments were identified. Subsequently, various alternatives including beach fill, beach fill with sand retention structure, seawalls, revetments and offshore breakwater were evaluated under the with-project conditions. Preliminary environmental impact assessments as well as engineering evaluation for each proposed alternative were performed. It was concluded that plans had been found justified for reducing storm-induced damages in the City of Carpinteria. The alternative plans may also be justified for several communities in the future.
NCI assessed potential alternatives to obtain an understanding of the coastal processes and the water circulation patterns in the coastal zone of the study area from the San Gabriel River to the west jetty of Newport Harbor for this expedited reconnaissance study. Our work and services included preparation of a 905 (b) Analysis Report and a draft Project Management Plan. The basis for the evaluation was based on the Corps of Engineer's regulations and engineer manuals. The primary tasks formulated in the PMP report include review of existing field data to determine the scope of additional field level investigations. This information will be incorporated into a water circulation numerical simulation model providing detailed knowledge of the spreading of pollutants in the coastal and oceanic waters. Areas of interest include the regions of the coastline adjacent to and seaward of the Santa Ana River and the Talbert Channel. The results of this task will provide the basis for the Phase 1 development of a comprehensive water quality management plan for Orange County.
The Phase II study for the Bel Marin Keys V Wetland Restoration project is part of the overall Hamilton Wetlands Restoration and the work order is to perform an assessment of hydraulics, hydrodynamics, and sediment movement in Novato Creek located in San Francisco Bay. The tasks include bathymetric survey in Novato Creek, deployment and retrieval of tide gages and current meters, and hydraulic & hydrodynamic numerical simulations. The hydraulic simulations are to assess the potential impacts to water levels at various reaches of the creek under 19 different scenarios of flood and project improvement conditions. The tidal-induced estuarine hydrodynamic modeling is to characterize water level and currents throughout the Lower Novato Creek so as to address any potential shoaling and scouring impacts resulting from the proposed Bel Marin Keys V wetland restoration.
