LONG-TERM WAVE AND CURRENT MONITORING, CHESAPEAKE BAY, VA


As part of an extensive shoreline restoration project along 
the Chesapeake Bay, a client requires long-term wave and 
current measurements for developing an accurate 
shoreline change model. Evans-Hamilton, Inc. (EHI) was 
contracted to install and maintain a system capable of 
providing current profiles and directional wave data over a 
one-year period. 

SCOPE AND APPROACH 

EHI installed a Nortek wave gage/current meter in a trawler 
resistant mount in approximately 25 feet of water. The 
mounts were deployed with EHI’s time-tested diverless 
recovery system consisting of a buoy held in place inside 
the mount by an acoustic release. To recover the mount, 
the release is activated via an acoustic signal and the buoy 
floats to the surface bringing the recovery line with it. This 
system has been very successful and avoids the expense 
and liability of using divers. 

To date, the system has performed well with 100% data 
recovery even during several large storms, including one 
tropical system. 

Instrument and Diverless Recovery System in 
Mount Prior to Deployment 
RESULTS 

Data from instrument have been reviewed for quality and 
processed using custom software developed by EHI. The 
data have proven useful in assessing observed shoreline 
changes relative to nearshore wave conditions. Based on 
the results from the first year of data collection, the client 
has requested that the data collection period be extended. 


Directional Wave Energy Spectrum Averaged Over a One-
Month Period. Note that the Peak Direction for the Low 
and High Frequencies is Different