Communities and infrastructure in Canada’s Arctic regions are facing increasing coastal hazard risk due to the rapidly warming climate and effects, including retreating sea ice (resulting in increased wave and storm-surge exposure), and thawing permafrost (destabilizing coastal sediments). At Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, large quantities of coastal driftwood mobilized by storms have potential to impact community infrastructure, and clog navigation waterways. Our group is conducting research to predict storm-driven transport and accumulation of coastal driftwood in Tuktoyaktuk Harbour, and exploring nature-based solutions to manage risks to people, infrastructure, and waterways. The project is in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada, the University of Ottawa, Defence Research and Development Canada, the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, Natural Resources Canada-Geological Survey of Canada, Northumbria University, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
