Key Outcome
A comprehensive, phased strategy for increasing climate resiliency in Woods Hole, including development of village-wide design concepts and planning. This strategy will address alternatives for institutional, private, and municipal infrastructure, as well as for natural habitat features and waterways.
Project Milestones
Phase 1 January – September 2020
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, and NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center commissioned Woods Hole Group to prepare the Woods Hole Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) and Adaptation Plan.
Periodic impacts include
Nuisance flooding of developed areas and infrastructure due to the shifting tidal range, coastal wetlands migration/loss in undeveloped areas due to the shifting tidal range, and potential erosion of natural shorelines due to repetitive storm damage.
Episodic impacts include
Risk of flooding to developed areas and infrastructure during more frequent and more intense coastal storms with greater potential for impact due to sea level rise.
Symposium - September 2020
Phase 1 culminated in a public symposium and the Woods Hole Village CCVA was released to the public.
Phase 2: October 2020 – October 2021
An adaptation pathways project that builds on and integrates the results of the Town of Falmouth CCVA and the Woods Hole Village CCVA.
Symposium, November 2021
A public symposium was held to raise awareness about climate-change research in Woods Hole, the ResilientWoodsHole initiative, and state, regional, and local climate resiliency planning.
Phase 3: October 2021 – June 2022
ResilientWoodsHole is engaging the local community in a dialogue about coastal flooding risks; identifying village flood pathways and vulnerabilities; and discussing long-term protective strategies. This phase is funded through a Massachusetts Coastal Resiliency grant and institutional matching funds.
Community Visioning Workshop - February 2022
A participatory workshop beginning with a review and update on Woods Hole’s vulnerability to sea-level rise and storm surge. Followed by breakout room discussions on:
- Important aspects of Woods Hole to adapt for resilience
- Your observations of flooding in Woods Hole
- Your preferred strategies for building resilience
- Private-property flood protection opportunities
- Sewer adaptation ideas
Community Visioning Workshop #2 - May 2022
The second participatory workshop builds upon the first community workshop. The second community workshop included a review of coastal vulnerability and potential adaptation strategies in nine areas of Woods Hole:
- Juniper Point
- Gansett
- Fay Road
- Eel Pond
- Waterfront
- Spencer Baird
- Penzance Point
- Nobska Point
- Mill Pond.
Each participant provided input on the adaptation pathways in each of the nine management areas. Read more about the workshop here.