2021 Archive : Muskegon Geotube® Shoreline Erosion Protection Project

Project Details

Fabric 1

Geotube®
Producer/Manufacturer: TenCate Geosynthetics
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Company 1
Milonowski and Englert

Design Company
TenCate Geosynthetics

Fabrication Company
TenCate Geosynthetics

Project Manager Name
Dan Wilcox

Installation Company
WaterSolve LLC

Please describe the project specifications

Lake Michigan has been experiencing historic lake water levels that has caused erosion of beaches and sand dunes in front of many residential and commercial properties causing in some cased houses falling into the lake. TenCate Geosynthetics partnered with WaterSolve LLC to provide a conceptual design of 5’ to 10’ high sand filled Geotube® soft armor structures to be installed along the shoreline at the high-water level line. These Geotube® structures were filled with imported sand that was slurried and pumped into the 5’ high individual Geotube® units that were up to 50’ long sections, weighing 135 tons when filled. Seven of these Geotube® structures were installed end to end protecting the total 350’ length waterfront properties.

The purpose of the project was to stop the current erosion and prevent future erosion of the shoreline of Lake Michigan in front of private property and the multi-million private residences located within feet of the top of the eroding sand dune. The client owners wanted the erosion protection to blend in with the natural environment while maintaining easy access to the beach.

What is unique or complex about the project?

This project demonstrated the flexibility of installing sand filled Geotube® structures fabricated from tri-composite geosynthetics in remote locations that do not have access for heavy construction equipment. The tri-composite geosynthetic used to fabricate the sand filled Geotube® structures captures the shoreline sand within the 3-D surface and causes the structure to blend in with the natural setting.

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