Shadowing Effect of Breakwaters

Maximizing effectiveness of breakwater systems by application of the “:Shadowing Effect”.

Some people mistakenly think that to protect 100 Feet of beach front that they would need 100 Feet of breakwater system. Depending on the wave force direction, this may be true. But first, the property owner must identify the area that they wish to protect.

Next, they need to determine the predominant direction of the waves during the worst environmental conditions. Perpendicular to this direction is the phenomena commonly called the “Wave Front”. This wave front will be projected against the shoreline or beach front.

Very rarely do all points along the wave front reach the shoreline at the same time (not in line with the shoreline). The wave front normally arrives at some angle to the shoreline and this projected shadowing” effect can provide protection to a greater length of shoreline that the actual length of the breakwater.