Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef in the Hindu

A short article on Multi-Purpose Reef was recently published in the "Hindu," one of India's major newspapers.

"The multipurpose artificial reef installed off the beach here has emerged as an innovative form of coastal protection, helping to improve the tourist potential of the State.

The reef has demonstrated its potential to protect the severely eroding coast from the waves unleashed by the monsoon. Resort owners and hoteliers are excited at the prospect of an extended tourist season.

Installed between the lighthouse and the Edakkal rocks off the beach, the reef has been able to protect the beach by mimicking natural reef structures and working in concert with nature.

Being off-shore and submerged, there is no visual impact. Within months, the reef has been able to stabilise the famed beach and make it wider on the lighthouse side by cushioning the impact of the waves."

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Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef Update, July 2010

Halfway through monsoon season, Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is working to protect Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, India. The visual results are encouraging and consistent with ASR’s modeled beach salient predictions. 

In the image bellow, a powerful wave breaks on Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef, dissipating swell energy across the entire length of the reef.

Traditionally, erosion is most severe on the southern end of Lighthouse Beach (lower right hand corner). Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is having a substantial effect on sediment retention in this area and we are also seeing accretion in the middle of Lighthouse beach.

June 2010

July 2010

Clean wave breaking across Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef  - July 2010

Before and After

August 2009                                                      July 2010

Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef continues to show encouraging results during monsoon season as predicted by ASR’s sediment transport modeling. Demonstrating that Multi-Purpose Reefs provide substantial coastal erosion prevention.

Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is an innovative solution for coastal protection and the beach retreat problems experienced in India. Thirty percent of India’s mainland population lives on the coast and relies on the health and security of the coastal environment. In Kerala, some 600 km of coastline is encased by 400 km of rock walls, leading to accelerated beach retreat.

Multi-Purpose Reefs have the following benefits:
-Protect the coast by dissipating wave energy
-Provide marine habitat
-Create a recreational amenity
-Promote socioeconomic prosperity

ASR continues to promote environmentally sensitive coastal protection options that value coastal resources and local interests.

Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef Protects Lighthouse Beach

In February 2010, ASR ltd. completed installation of Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef to mitigate erosion on lighthouse beach and increase beach sediment levels. In just three months, Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is showing very positive results.

Since completion, Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef added visual amounts of sand to lighthouse beach. Continuing to protect the coast in an environmentally sensitive fashion by dissipating wave energy from incoming swells.

May 18, 2009

Only a few months after the installation of Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef a beach salient developed. Similar tidal and wave energy conditions a year later shows dramatic differences in accumulation of sediment behind Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef and along lighthouse beach. Showing that Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is directing sediment towards shore as the design intended.

May 26, 2010

Kerala has severe coastal erosion problems and is lined with 400 km of seawalls. These seawalls cover roughly two thirds of Kerala’s some 600 km of coastline.

Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is showing that alternative and environmentally friendly solutions can provide value to the coast and community while protecting the beach in a sustainable fashion.

A previous image from Lighthouse beach shows current transporting sediment away from the beach and a lack of salient. Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is providing a natural barrier that moves sediment towards shore and allowing accumulation of sand.

Before

After

mid-tide

high-tide

Recent photos of lighthouse beach from show a very different picture than historical images. The increase in sediment retention is more than apparent. ASR is excited that Kovalam Multi-Purpose Reef is showing such positive results.

The following videos demonstrate the devastating nature of traditional coastal protection devices on Kerala’s coastline and India's need for sustainable and responsible action.

Louisiana's Berm Project Moving Forward.

ASR closely watches the Louisiana Berm Project debate and finds the proposal overly ambitions. Agencies and individuals have questioned the proposed effectiveness of the project and we are inclined to agree. There are a number of issues ranging from outlined construction time frame to the upcoming huriccane season which place serious concerns on the feasibility of the Louisana Berm Project. The potential effects on Louisina's tidal marshes are of even greater concern due to possibilities of salinity increases and an even greater influx of oil due to the bern not blocking all water inlets. Robert Young wrote and opinion piece for the New York Times which we find points out the potentially serious consequences of the project.

"Of the many cleanup solutions being pursued in the Gulf of Mexico, few are as ambitious as Louisiana’s berm project. The Army Corps of Engineers recently authorized the state to construct some 45 miles of artificial berms in an effort to protect Mississippi River Delta wetlands and barrier islands from the oil gushing from the Deepwater Horizon leak, with BP promising to pay the state $360 million for the entire project. Many more miles may be authorized in the coming weeks.

The state understandably wants to move quickly and on a large scale, and no one wants to stop a project like this simply because it is spending too much of BP’s money. The problem, however, is that the berms won’t work as promised, and their construction will monopolize resources that could be used more effectively elsewhere."

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Update on Thursday, July 22, 2010 by Adam Daigian

An article published today on the New York Times 'Green' Blog entitled, "Stop the Sand Berms, Scientists Plead," continues coverage of the sand berm construction in the Gulf of Mexico as a response to the Deep Horizon oil spill. Despite objection from scientists, stakeholders, and even government agencies, construction moves forward without clear indication of benefits and admits concerns over grave environmental impacts.

"In an open letter to Thad W. Allen, the retired Coast Guard admiral overseeing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response, almost two dozen coastal scientists from Louisiana and around the country have urged the federal government to halt the construction of sand berms in the gulf, calling the project ineffective in the fight against the oil and a waste of resources that could have heavy environmental consequences."
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