East River Tidal Barrage

This paper presents an engineering solution that addresses, at a conceptual level, the configuration of a barrage that would serve to prevent northward flow of water in the East River while at the same time allowing it to flow south. The purpose of this modification to flow in the East River is to improve water quality in Long Island Sound, the East River, and New York Harbor. It is recognized that such a structure and subsequent water flow change would affect the marine environment and that issues such as marine life, sedimentation, and river hydraulics need to be evaluated as part of any such project. These very important issues have not been addressed in this paper and need to be considered by others. In this paper we have identified the physical characteristics of the East River and, based on those characteristics, developed a solution that we believe will minimize the impact of such a barrage on the river and surrounding area.With that approach in mind, we have avoided a solution that includes any other features, such as a bridge or hydroelectric plant. Recognizing that marine navigation on the East River plays an important role in the New York economy, we have established the level of activity on the river and have incorporated features in our study to accommodate navigation. Nevertheless, it is recognized that such a barrage would affect navigation and, if the development of a tidal barrage is to proceed, a careful study must be made of its effect on navigation and the features that will be needed to accommodate shipping.