WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AN OUTAGE OF THE LINKS BELOW. It is currently not possible to download the files related to the technical differences proposed in this section, we apologize for this and will work as soon as possible to remedy the problem.Adapting to climate change requires the implementation of several complementary measures on the same territory to ensure the safety of both the public and infrastructures. There are a host of strategies and measures that can be applied to deal with coastal risks. However, it is important to ensure that the chosen measures are appropriate for the community and the site concerned.
At the community scale, adopted measures must include both planning and regulatory measures along with protection, accommodation and restoration techniques.
The concept of using complementary measures to limit risks during storm surges
Examples of engineering tools appear hereunder. Download the files to find out more…
The tools presented are those described in the guides produced by the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA).
Erosion
Retreat
Relocate infrastructure
The decision to relocate or abandon a coastal road, building or other type of infrastructure must be based on a complex cost-benefit analysis that includes socio-economic aspects. The value of services provided must be accounted for.Download
Accommodation
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Protection
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Dune building
Dunes act as a flexible buffer between the ocean and the upland, protecting from both erosion and flooding.Download
Living shoreline/wetland
Saltmarshes are a way to maintain a natural shoreline balance as sea levels rise; reducing impacts of flooding and erosion reduced. It can be combined with low-crested reef breakwaters in front.Download
Artificial dune/buried revetment
A buried revetment uses the hard protection of a revetment and the soft protection of a dune to create a barrier against flooding and erosion.Download
Seawall
Seawalls are structural barriers designed to resist the full force of waves and storm surge.Download
Plant stabilization
Planting certain vegetation to stabilize coastline is a cost effective option in relatively protected shorelines.Download
Beach nourishment
Beach Nourishment adds sediment to the coastal system by depositing along the shoreline. It acts as a storm buffer. It involves periodic renourishment because it does not reduce background erosion rate.Download
Perched beach (sill)
A perched beach can be created where the natural profile of a beach comes too close to valuable infrastructure or property.Download
Artificial reefs
Artificial reefs attempt to mimic natural forms and use naturally occurring material and help restore natural reef systems.Download
Retaining wall
Retaining walls prevents land from sliding into the sea. The secondary purpose is to limit the impact of waves on the shore.Download
Nearshore breakwaters
Nearshore breakwaters are designed to provide shelter from waves to reduce erosion of the shoreline and can be designed to increase sediment build-up in desired locations.Download
Shore perpendicular breakwater
Shore-perpendicular breakwaters extend out from the shore. They provide shelter from waves to the shoreline and can be designed to increase sediment build-up in desired locations.Download
Groynes
Groynes/Groins trap sand moving along the shoreline (littoral drift) and help grow the beach on the updrift of the groyne.Download
Rip-rap armouring
Rip-rap refers to loose rock or other material piled on the shoreline to limit erosion, typically end-dumped from a truck.Download
Engineered revetment
Revetments breaks wave energy, stopping erosion. Water can seep through.Download
Scour protection
Scour protection prevents erosion (i.e. scouring) from around the base of infrastructure of natural coast.Download
Flooding
Retreat
Relocate infrastructure
The decision to relocate or abandon a coastal road, building or other type of infrastructure must be based on a complex cost-benefit analysis that includes socio-economic aspects. The value of services provided must be accounted for.Download
Accommodation
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Floating building
Floating buildings are located on a floating base allowing water to flow underneath during flood situations.Download
Raised infrastructures
A building's elevation can be increased through the use of stilts or raised foundation to create non-living space under the house (i.e. garage) or by increasing the height of the land with fill before the building is constructed.Download
Wet flood proofing building
Wet flood proofing accommodates the possibility of flooding into the structure. This technique allows water to flow in and out of the lower level of the buildings.Download
Stormwater management
Storm water management reduces runoff by promoting infiltration naturally and with man-made pipes and streams.Download
Raingarden/constructed wetland
A rain garden is a planted depression or a hole that allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, the opportunity to be absorbed.Download
Bluff drain
Pipes with holes along the length that allow water to seep in and provide a route for water to escape the soil and drain into the ocean without eroding the bluff. A bluff drain is also beneficial for reducing bluff erosion due to overland runoff.Download
Dredging
Dredging is the act of digging up the bottom of a channel to remove sediment that has built up in an estuary or harbour mouth, keeping channels open for floodwater drainage.Download
Drainage ditch
Drainage ditches are made up of a network of open trenches often connected by culverts. They will provide routes for water to drain from an area.Download
Protection
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Dry flood proofing building
Material and structures used to prevent floodwater or storm surge from impacting the more valuable structures within.Download
Tide barrier/aboiteau
Tidal or storm surge barriers are moveable barriers or gates that are closed to prevent flooding when extreme water levels or storm surges are forecast. Aboiteaux provide one-way freshwater drainage.Download
Dyke
Dykes prevent the flooding of coastal lowlands during extreme high tides and storm events.Download
Dune building
Dunes act as a flexible buffer between the ocean and the upland, protecting from both erosion and flooding.Download
Living shoreline/wetland
Saltmarshes are a way to maintain a natural shoreline balance as sea levels rise; reducing impacts of flooding and erosion reduced. It can be combined with low-crested reef breakwaters in front.Download
Artificial dune/buried revetment
A buried revetment uses the hard protection of a revetment and the soft protection of a dune to create a barrier against flooding and erosion.Download
Seawall
Seawalls are structural barriers designed to resist the full force of waves and storm surge.Download
Erosion and Flooding
Retreat
Relocate infrastructure
The decision to relocate or abandon a coastal road, building or other type of infrastructure must be based on a complex cost-benefit analysis that includes socio-economic aspects. The value of services provided must be accounted for.Download
Accommodation
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Protection
Maintenance repair or replacement of existing structure
Some structures require maintenance over time. If there is a structure already present at your site which is causing or experiencing damage, there is the possibility of repairing or replacing it.Download
Dune building
Dunes act as a flexible buffer between the ocean and the upland, protecting from both erosion and flooding.Download
Living shoreline/wetland
Saltmarshes are a way to maintain a natural shoreline balance as sea levels rise; reducing impacts of flooding and erosion reduced. It can be combined with low-crested reef breakwaters in front.Download
Artificial dune/buried revetment
A buried revetment uses the hard protection of a revetment and the soft protection of a dune to create a barrier against flooding and erosion.Download
Seawall
Seawalls are structural barriers designed to resist the full force of waves and storm surge.Download
