DESCRIPTION: A 654-foot-long rock breakwater, disconnected from the shoreline and extending northwest out to the minus 16-foot contour of Lake Champlain. The 130-year-old breakwater protects the eastern terminus of the Cumberland Head-Grand Isle Ferry Route from wind and wave action and ice floes.
AUTHORIZATION: Adapted in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1887.
BACKGROUND: The Gordon’s Landing Breakwater was found to possess significance under National Register of Historic Places. The economic and physical conditions at the harbor have changed since the breakwater was constructed. Ferry usage has increased from two small steamers each day in 1891 to larger diesel ferries making 22,000 annual landings and departures. The ferry now operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and transports over one million passengers each year. Rising temperatures are driving a trend towards wetter conditions, which increase the frequency and duration of high lake level events. The breakwater is almost or completely submerged during such events.
STATUS: In the Section 216 Initial Appraisal Report signed on 19 June 2020 the District recommended a feasibility study under Continuing Authorities Program Section 107. The project was included within the CAP database and recommended as a FY2021 CAP Section 107 new start, however the project has had no action due to funding. Project team will be examining the possibility of changing to a major rehabilitation evaluation.
CONTACT:
Laura Lozon
Project Engineer
Phone: (518) 273-0870
Email: Laura.P.Lozon@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Albany Field Office
1 Bond Street
Troy, NY 12180
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil
District Area: VT – At Large