History of Coastal Engineering

Course Summary:

For most of the nation’s history, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has played an active role in the coastal zone. To the mid-1800s, this role was largely confined to coastal defense and some harbor protection. But, in the mid-1800s, the USACE’s mission expanded to include developing civil works projects in support of a growing nation. During the second half of the 20th century, the USACE’s role further expanded to include environmental restoration and preservation of threatened coastal areas. Emergency coastal response work is also likely to be a growth area for the USACE. Many of the recent arrivals to the coastal zone have not personally experienced a major disaster like the Galveston hurricane of 1900, the 1962 Ash Wednesday storm, or the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. Much of the population is ignorant of the hazards that exist and is not prepared to respond to the aftermath of a catastrophic storm. The USACE has actively participated in disaster emergency and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, and many of these skills are applicable to mainland disasters.

Learning Objective:

This manual provides guidance for the responsibilities including harbor construction, dredging and clearing waterways, building canals and channels, and protecting coastal areas threatened by erosion.

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Course Content

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