City of Chelsea implements nature-based flood resilience solutions
Chelsea, Massachusetts: $50 million
Project Description
The Island End River Coastal Flood Resilience Project is a hybrid grey-and-nature-based flood resilience solution to address coastal flood risks in the disadvantaged communities of Chelsea and Everett. More than 500 acres in these communities are at risk of flooding because of the area’s topography and hydrology. This project combines vegetated berms, floodwalls, flood gates and living shoreline to protect an industrial district and residential neighborhoods from coastal flooding by 2070 for 2% storms. Also, by 2070, protection will reach the 1% storm once the larger regional resiliency plan is in place.
When the project is complete, it will protect environmental justice neighborhoods, critical regional food distribution, and energy infrastructure from coastal flooding. It will also create much-needed waterfront access, community open space and a restored living shoreline.