N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-12.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 7:7-12.20 - Vertical wake or wave attenuation structures

(a) Vertical wake or wave attenuation structures are structures designed to protect boat moorings, including those at marinas, by intercepting wakes or waves and reducing the wake or wave energy which would normally impact the adjacent boat mooring areas. Typically, timber, metal, or vinyl wake or wave attenuation structures are designed and utilized to protect boat moorings. For the purposes of this section, a vertical wake or wave attenuation structure does not include a breakwater constructed of concrete or rubble mound. Breakwaters designed to protect shoreline areas shall comply with the filling rule, 7:7-12.11, and the coastal engineering rule at 7:7-15.11.

(b) Construction of a vertical wake or wave attenuation structure is conditionally acceptable. The porosity of a wake or wave attenuation structure, including spacing of planking and the distance between the structure and the bottom of the water body, shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration vessel traffic, water depth, and tidal flow.

(c) A vertical wake or wave attenuation structure may be designed as follows.

1. High wake or wave energy areas: Boat mooring areas in or near deep water that are exposed to port, harbor, and/or ferry traffic, such as the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York, are subject to high wake or wave energy. In this case, the structure may be designed to have no spacing between planking and extend to a depth of between 30 and 40 feet, or to the bottom of the water body, whichever is less, to intercept almost all wave energy. The distance between the structure and the bottom of the waterbody will be dependent upon the water depth of the area in which the structure will be located.

2. Medium wake or wave energy areas: Boat mooring areas adjacent to or near navigation channels, such as boat moorings located in Cape May Harbor, are subject to medium wake or wave energy. In this case, the structure may be designed to provide approximately one inch spacing between planking, and extend to the bottom of the water body.

3. Minor wake or wave energy areas: Boat mooring areas that do not meet the criteria of (b)1 or 2 above, such as boat moorings located in the Upper Manasquan River, are subject to minor wake or wave energy. In this case, the structure may be designed to provide approximately three inch spacing between planks to ensure flushing, and the distance between the structure and bottom of the water body shall be determined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the potential wake or wave energy at that mooring location. In areas of low tidal flow, that is, where the tidal range is less than two feet, the distance between the structure and the bottom of the water body shall be at least 18 inches.

(d) Detached vertical wake or wave attenuation structures which are not fixed directly to a dock or pier structure shall be marked with photocell lights and/or reflectors.

(e) Rationale: Vertical wake or wave attenuation structures are designed to protect boat moorings, including those at marinas. These structures may be fixed or floating, attached or detached, depending on the water depth, tidal range, and wave climate. The design of a vertical wake or wave attenuation structure must consider location, height, and porosity in order for the structure to function without adversely affecting the movement of sediment and marine organisms and water circulation patterns.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-12.20

Renumbered from 7:7E-4.19 by 47 N.J.R. 1392(a), effective 7/6/2015

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 361(a), effective 1/16/2018