This document summarizes several local case studies on coastal communities in Rhode Island that are vulnerable to sea level rise. It describes modeling of 1 foot, 3 foot, and 5 foot sea level rise scenarios for the communities of Jamestown, Barrington/Warren, and Charlestown. For each community, the document identifies current land uses and infrastructure that are at risk of flooding and inundation. It also provides potential issues and opportunities to address the impacts of sea level rise through actions such as elevating roads, relocating facilities, protecting undeveloped lands, and coordinating land management between stakeholders.

1. Local Case Studies
Pam Rubinoff
URI Coastal Resources Center
RI Sea Grant

2. Project Planning

3. October, 2013 Bristol and Warren
May, 2013 – Regional Meeting
Engaging
Communities

4. Opportunities & Challenges
Palmer River
Barrington/Warren
Foster Cove
Charlestown
The Great Creek
Jamestown

5. Jamestown – The Great Creek
(Zeek’s Creek)

6. High Tides Affect
our Communities
Today
6/2/12 B. Lombardi
The Great Creek/Round
Marsh
10/26/11 G. Martin
6/3/12 R. Calabro
North Road

7. Jamestown – Current Conditions
The Great Creek
Water Treatment
Plant
Turnpike & Bridge
Authority
Golf Course
Agriculture/open
space

8. Jamestown Model Results – 1’ SLR
The Great Creek

9. Jamestown Model Results – 3’ SLR
The Great Creek

10. Jamestown Model Results – 5’ SLR
The Great Creek

11. Jamestown Issues & Opportunities
Road floods now with extreme
tides. Consider elevated
causeway as a future design
for state road
Discuss golf course management
with property owner
Relocate access to water
treatment plant. Would need
to work with TNC/LT change
easements for access to the
water treatment plant.
Town bought development
rights for farmland.
Consider alternative
management practices for
areas adjacent to wetlands
The Great Creek
Turnpike & Bridge Authority –
protect area for continued use.

12. Barrington/Warren – Palmer River

13. Barrington/Warren – Model Results 1’SLR

14. Barrington/Warren – Model Results 3’SLR

15. Barrington/Warren – Model Results 5’SLR

16. “Roads shortening”,
Properties flooding.
Densely developed area
not a priority for wetland
retreat.
Protect/accommodate
property for inundation.
Much of this land is protected or
has easements. Future migration
will be possible
Barrington/Warren – Issues & Opportunities
Large wetland complex
– state priority for
protection, restoration.
Assess options for
undeveloped parcels
for future wetland
migration
Protected fresh
water wetlands
transition to salt
marsh
Swansea Country Club
in MA – Turf
management or
reconfiguration

17. Charlestown – Foster Cove

18. 1
2
1: Brackish wetland on inland side of Wildflower Road; culve
beneath road
2: Salt marsh with standing water in high marsh

19. Charlestown Model Results – 1’ SLR

20. Charlestown Model Results – 3’ SLR

21. Charlestown Model Results – 5’ SLR

22. Charlestown Model Results Future at 5’ SLR

23. Charlestown Issues & Opportunities
All private roads, managed by Foster
Cove Association. Mostly primary
homes. Identify alternate routes for
evacuation and high tides in short-
term.
Identify opportunities for
protection of undeveloped
land. Potential link with new
pond access
USFWS management area.
Review restoration plans and
wildlife management practices

24. Celebrate!
http://www.crmc.ri.gov/news
November 10th