Confronting the Challenges of Climate Change and Coastal Erosion at a Historic Military Fortress
Fort Pulaski National Monument, located along the Georgia coast, stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its builders. However, this historic site now faces a new adversary – the relentless forces of climate change and rising sea levels. As the very ground beneath the fort begins to erode, the park’s dedicated staff must grapple with unprecedented challenges to preserve this important piece of American history.
Engineering a Solid Foundation
In 1829, work began on constructing Fort Pulaski, a massive brick fortress designed to guard the mouth of the Savannah River. Before a single brick could be laid, the engineers faced a daunting task – transforming the marshy Cockspur Island into a stable platform capable of supporting the fort’s immense weight. This required the meticulous construction of an elaborate ditch and dike system, which took several years to complete.
“In fact, it would be several years before the first bricks were laid due to the wide scope of the ditch and dike system,” explains Laura Seifert, a park ranger at Fort Pulaski National Monument. “Despite subsequent small changes, including more storm repairs and the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) work that fixed damage due to neglect, Fort Pulaski’s ditch and dike system has remained largely intact and held the fort steady for nearly 200 years.”
However, the island’s low-lying, coastal location has always made it vulnerable to the ravages of storms. Hurricanes and other severe weather events have repeatedly tested the fort’s defenses, causing significant damage over the centuries. In 1804, an especially powerful hurricane largely destroyed an earlier earthwork fort and wooden blockhouse, while a storm in 1854 swept away the Carpenter’s Shop and threatened the fort’s caretakers.
The Changing Tides of Time
Today, Fort Pulaski faces new challenges as the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent. “Sea level rise and higher tides are obvious on the landscape and predicted to worsen,” Seifert notes. “During king tides, water can be more than 10 feet over the mean lower low water (MLLW) level.”
The rising groundwater and saltwater intrusion pose hidden threats as well. Archeologists working at the site have been forced to contend with flooded excavation units, often having to abandon their work due to persistent groundwater. This has severely delayed fieldwork and, in some cases, caused significant damage to the unit walls.
The influx of saltwater also poses a critical threat to the park’s archeological artifacts. As Seifert explains, “More, or perhaps all, the terrestrial artifacts excavated will need to undergo conservation or different cleaning techniques due to the artifacts’ exposure to salts and salt water.” This will lead to greatly increased costs for archeological projects, as the artifacts require specialized treatment to prevent further deterioration.
Adapting to a Changing Landscape
In response to these daunting challenges, the park staff at Fort Pulaski are taking a multi-pronged approach to preserve the fort and its surrounding landscape. One key initiative involves repairing and raising the dike system to keep the rising waters at bay.
“A group of students from Georgia Institute of Technology studied this problem for their senior capstone project and worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Savannah District, to develop a concept plan for raising the dike,” Seifert explains. “We are currently seeking funding for the final design and implementation.”
Complementing the dike work, the park is also focused on rehabilitating the historic drainage system. This involves cleaning out the ditches, repairing culverts, and replacing tide gates to allow the island to drain effectively and promote a healthy wetland ecosystem.
“The first phase of this project took place in early 2024. It was ugly,” Seifert admits. “Wooden matting was placed along the ditch, and heavy equipment was used to dig out accumulated sediment and vegetation. The culvert was repaired, and the flap gate allowing access to the Savannah River was replaced.”
While this initial phase focused on the most severely damaged Ditch 5, the park has roughly 3.5 miles of additional ditches to repair, each with varying levels of damage. The USACE has been a crucial partner in this effort, providing engineering expertise and helping to coordinate the project.
Preserving the Past for the Future
As Fort Pulaski National Monument approaches its Centennial in 2024, the park’s staff are determined to ensure the fort remains above water and accessible to the public for generations to come. This uphill battle against the forces of nature requires a multifaceted approach, blending modern engineering solutions with a deep respect for the fort’s historical significance.
“Ultimately, this project should help manage water and flooding on Cockspur Island while also rehabilitating and maintaining a historic element of the cultural landscape, one that is part of our enabling legislation,” Seifert affirms.
By investing in the repair and reinforcement of the fort’s critical infrastructure, the park is taking proactive steps to safeguard this cherished landmark against the impacts of climate change. And as the Joint Action for Water community well knows, such efforts to preserve our cultural heritage are essential for building resilient and sustainable communities.
Through the dedication and innovation of its staff, Fort Pulaski National Monument stands as a testament to the power of adaptive management and the importance of protecting our shared histories, even in the face of formidable environmental challenges.
