Salem
Setting the Stage for Actions - Salem
Salem Sound Coastwatch has worked with the City of Salem on the following climate assessments:
Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan (2014) – completed by CDM Smith with Barbara Warren serving on the City’s working group.
Salem Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Report and MVP Risk Matrix (2020) –completed by Salem’s MVP core team with guidance from Barbara Warren, identifies Salem’s top four climate-related hazards of concern, the City’s existing and future strengthens and vulnerabilities amid prioritizes actions.
Mapping Future Flooding Risks for Salem (10/26/2020)
Salem Sound Coastwatch with the Salem Maritime Historic Site National Park Service sponsorship asked Woods Hole Group to explain the Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model (MC-FRM) for Salem. Detailed coastal flood modeling and mapping under changing climatic conditions (present, 2030, 2050, 2070) were commissioned by the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management for all coastal communities. Learn how the risk probability maps were created and how to interpret them.
Seven areas in Salem have been identified as high risk for increased flooding based on sea level rise and storms predictions:
Derby Wharf - Resiliency on Salem's Maritime Waterfront (9/9/2021)
Paul DePrey, National Park Service Superintendent of Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites, shared the history of Derby Wharf, its degradation from coastal storms, and plans for rebuilding the wharf to prolong its existence given increasing storms and sea level rise.
Superintendent Paul DePrey of the National Park Service Salem Maritime National Historic Site shares Derby Wharf’s history and how it can be protected and rehabilitated given the current and future climate threats of sea level rise and storms.
Current Coastal Resilience Projects:
Collins Cove to Willows Resilience Study (FY23 – MVP funding)
Salem Sound Coastwatch is working with City of Salem and AECOM to assess vulnerability and risk to coastal and inland flooding in the study area that focuses on city-owned property including roadway/right-of-way infrastructure, linear parks/bike paths, Collins Cove Park, Collins Cove Beach, Memorial Park, Salem Willows Park, and Winter Island Park. A coastal flood and stormwater simulation model has been developed with community input, storm observations on December 23, 2022, city infrastructure, and predictive models of future sea level rise and increased storms. A Resilient Coastal Parks Toolkit is being developed along with potential adaptation strategies to lessen flooding and improve emergency access during storm events.
The first Public Community Meeting was held in person on November 29th, 2022, and two more have been held since. Click on the video to the left to view the most recent meeting.
History of Collins Cove: 1700’s to Present
To understand where we are now and how the future will affect us, it is often important to understand the geology and past landscape transformations. This recorded presentation by Sally McMurry (02/01/23) gives a shoreline change and historical tour with maps and photos exploring Collins Cove role in Salem’s development, which includes fishing, tanneries, rope walks, freight train, poor farm, and now recreation.
Resilient Together: The Point – Preservemos El Punto, ¡Todos juntos!
(2022 – ongoing CZM Coastal Resilience funding)
A deep dive model of the Point neighborhood’s current and future climate risks continues with robust multilingual community outreach and engagement process. The goal is to better understand the climate risks and possible adaptation and mitigation solutions for this neighborhood, which includes Palmer Cove and the South River. Neighborhood input is valued to help guide considerations and solutions to address shoreline defense and heat.
Preserving History: Assessments and Climate Adaptations at the House of the Seven Gables
(FY23-FY24 CZM Coastal Resilience Funding)
Salem Sound Coastwatch is working with The Gables, Union Studios, Collins Engineers, and Horsley Witten Group to gather site data, assess buildings and site, conduct short-term and near-term maintenance modifications and recommend longer-term adaptation strategies. Peer-to-peer and public outreach is once again an important aspect of this project. Lessons learned will be shared at the Preservation in a Changing Climate Conference.
Preservation in a Changing Climate Conference
Salem Sound Coastwatch, the City of Salem and the Salem Preservation Partners hold annual conferences in September at the Peabody Essex Museum to raise awareness of climate change impacts on historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods and share adaptation strategies.
Preservation in a Changing Climate →
Winter Island Park Pathway and Bank Restoration
The Winter Island Park Pathway and Bank Restoration Project will help address the severe and ongoing issue of erosion of its pathways and coastal banks, resulting from its unconstrained use and from climate change. Coastal erosion, combined with excess invasive bittersweet, at Winter Island Park threatens the Park’s goals to “enhance its unique natural resources, preserve its historically significant properties, and increase the public’s access and enjoyment.”
The project will focus on managing the heavy, undirected pedestrian use of the coastal bank and assess how the eroding banks and pathways can best stabilized. Managing the year-round pedestrian use of the park is the critical first step. The project aims to find solutions to this problem through community engagement and physical actions at Winter Island Park. Additionally, the area will be evaluated to begin the ecological restoration of the coastal bank process.