Hugh E. Ruthven III, M.C.E., B.S.

• MCZM Coastal Community Resilience Evaluation of Cobble Nourishment Design and Environmental Permitting for Canoe Beach and Marine Science Center at Northeastern University, Nahant, MA

Canoe Beach is located at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center (MSC), along the northern coastline of Nahant. Mr. Ruthven lead the effort to develop a mixed sediment dune and beach nourishment to counter the ongoing erosion and provide a ‘natural’ form of storm damage protection for public and private infrastructure that are landward of the beach as part of a MCZM Coastal Community Resilience Grant Program for Northeastern University. The enhancement and stabilization of Canoe Beach is also important to continue providing recreational and educational resources to the local and regional community. Services included a topographic surveying, profile change analysis, beach sediment characterization, wave modeling to evaluate the storm conditions along the beach, and design and permitting of beach nourishment template.

• MCZM Coastal Community Resilience Evaluation of Inlet Stabilization at Ellisville Harbor, Town of Plymouth, MA 

In collaboration with the Town of Plymouth and MCZM Coastal Community Resilience Grant Program, Mr. Ruthven led the effort to develop alternatives for providing a more sustainable tidal inlet system servicing the Ellisville Harbor and Marsh. Following the inlet relocation in 2003 through the barrier spit, the spit building process continued elongating the barrier beach and the inlet channel. The lengthening of the channel caused additional tidal attenuation that adversely impacts the salt marsh system. A series of potential alternatives both structural and non-structural measures, were analyzed to evaluate the potential for a more stable tidal inlet system. The alternatives were evaluated relative to the ability to maximize both the health of the salt marsh resources and to provide a more consistent supply of sediments to downdrift beaches while avoiding impacts to endangered species habitat (Piping Plovers) and species of special concern (Least Terns) while reducing the frequency of relocating the inlet.

• Improving the Coastal Resiliency of Dr. Bottero and Chapin Beach Road, Town of Dennis, MA.

Though MCZM Green Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience Grants, Mr. Ruthven identified and evaluated long-term resilient infrastructure alternatives to mitigate the severe erosion along Dr. Bottero Road and improve the resilience and natural function of a barrier beach. This involved the preparation of an Alternatives Analysis and Expanded ENF involving a wide range of possible alternatives followed by filings to MEPA, NHESP, and USACE. Due to the complicated regulatory hurdles associated with viable alternatives, including retreating the roadway across the salt marsh and construction of new coastal engineering structures, a series of pre-application regulatory meetings and stake holder meets were conducted to obtain feedback and build consensus from local, state and federal permitting agencies.  

• Design and Permitting of Dead Neck/Sampson’s Island (DNSI) Restoration and Management Project, Barnstable, MA.

Mr. Ruthven has been conducting the monitoring of the DNSI shoreline since 2005 as part of the restoration project to enhance and protect wildlife habitat and nesting habitat for coastal waterbirds of high conservation Priority. The monitoring involves cross-shore profile measurements along the eastern 2,400 feet of the island to document the erosion of the island and loss of Piping Plover habitat. The western end of the island is being monitored to focus on management of sediment migrating toward the west end of the barrier beach system and the impacts to the navigational channel. Mr. Ruthven has also developed the Pre- and Post-Construction monitoring protocols as well as supporting the engineering and permitting associated with backpassing dredged material from the western end of the island and using the material to maintain the integrity of the barrier beach/dune system adjacent to the eastern end. The restoration of the eastern end of the island will restore and protect essential shorebird and wildlife habitat.

• Coastal Processes Evaluation and Development of Shore Protection Alternatives for Ram Island, MA.  

Long-term erosion of Ram Island, located in Buzzards Bay, has decreased the available habitat for the endangered Roseate Tern population. As part of funding established to evaluate shoreline damages associated with a recent oil spill, Mr. Ruthven worked with NOAA to evaluate local coastal processes that are causing erosion of the fringing marsh, as well as loss of upland sediments associated with storm wave overtopping. Mr. Ruthven conducted a detailed numerical wave modeling analysis using SWAN was performed to determine the dominant forces controlling the erosion process. In addition, a long-term shoreline change analysis was utilized to determine the island’s longevity. Based on the coastal processes analysis, regulatory constraints, constructability, sustainability, maintenance requirements, and cost, a series of engineering alternatives ranging from beach nourishment to near-shore stone breakwaters were evaluated relative to selection of a final conceptual design.  

• Muddy Creek Tidal Attenuation and Salt Marsh Restoration, Pleasant Bay, MA.  

A hydrodynamic and flooding analysis of Muddy Creek was performed to determine the impacts and engineer requirements associated with the widening of the inlet channel under Route 28 to restore salt marsh and improve the resiliency of the bay. A restrictive stone culvert between Muddy Creek and Pleasant Bay inhibited tidal exchange, which had a direct effect on water quality, habitat, and salt marsh coverage and health. Mr. Ruthven lead the hydraulic design of new improved tidal inlet and bridge to significantly increase the hydraulic beneath the roadway, restoring tidal flow to the upper reaches of the system. The detailed analysis required a quantification of the proposed tidal hydraulics, coastal storm surge flooding response and magnitude, scour potential, and an evaluation of the outer channel and ebb shoal to determine the extents which the increase tidal prism could alter the barrier beach form.