MIDDLE HARBOR HABITAT
Port of Oakland, California

The Port of Oakland is developing Middle Harbor Habitat using 5.3 million cubic yards of dredged material from the Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District’s 50-foot Dredging Project. The project design consists of dredged material placement, rock and sheet pile containment structures, tidal channels, avian roosting islands designed to provide protection from wave action and enhancement of circulation within the habitat area, and approximately 45 acres of eelgrass. Coast & Harbor engineers were responsible for coastal engineering analysis, design and numerical modeling. Modeling included tide-induced currents and sediment transport, and was supported by collection of current and wave field data. Modeling was performed to optimize conditions for eelgrass habitat survival and enhance tidal circulation. Coast & Harbor Engineering Members Performed the Following Tasks:

		Wave and current field data collection.
		Numerical modeling of tidal currents, sediment transport and wave transformation.
		Optimized design of tidal current circulation channels intended to provide sufficient water quality conditions within the habitat.
		Performed 2-D wind-wave generation and transformation modeling to predict stable eelgrass areas within the habitat and provided wave information for design of roosting islands and containment structures.
		Analyzed wave reflection effects near vertical sheet pile containment structure using numerical models and remotely operated digital video system.
		Performed conceptual design of rock and porous sheetpile structures.
		Provided recommendations for placement of dredged material to minimize turbidity and sediment movement using results of numerical modeling.
		Performed conceptual design and numerical modeling for a public access beach at the northeast corner of Middle Harbor, along with beach view terraces and a seawall at the landward side of the beach.