Table Of ContentASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 50
Planning and Design
Guidelines for
Small Craft Harbors
Prepared by the Task Committee on Marinas 2000
Revised Edition
Published by the
American Society of Civil Engineers
345 East 47th Street
New York, New York 10017-2398
ABSTRACT
In the 25 years which have passed since the Report on Small Craft Harbors was
first published in 1969, marina development has gone through a dramatic transfor-
mation. In 1988 the Task Committee on Marinas 2000 was formed for the purpose
of updating this report. Since much has been learned about the technical aspects of
planning and designing small boat harbors over the past 25 years, this updated
report, Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors (ASCE Manual 50)
provides the practicing civil engineer with state-of-the-art guidelines for the plan-
ning, design, construction, and financing of small craft harbors. It is organized in
four parts. The first section discusses planning and related environmental consider-
ations, and suggests an analytical planning process. The next part covers the pro-
tection of small craft mooring facilities and access areas. The third section is con-
cerned with the improved design of inner harbor structures. The last section
explores the economics and finance of small boat harbors. This revised manual
provides a valuable reference to the professional civil engineer by presenting the
factors involved in harbor development and by providing basic background informa-
tion needed as design input.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
American Society of Civil Engineers. Task Committee on Marines 2000.
Planning and design guidelines for small craft harbor / prepared by the Task
Committee on Marinas 2000. — Rev. ed.
p.cm. — (ASCE manuals and reports on engineering practice;
no. 50)
Rev. ed. of: Report on small craft harbors. 1969.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7844-0033-4
1. Marinas—Design and construction. I. American Society of Civil
Engineers. Task Committee on Small Craft Harbors. Report on small craft har
bors. II. Title. III. Series.
TC328.A44 1994 94-20810
627'.38—dc20 CIP
The material presented in this publication has been prepared in accor-
dance with generally recognized engineering principles and practices, and is for
general information only. This information should not be used without first securing
competent advice with respect to its suitability for any general or specific applica-
tion.
The contents of this publication are not intended to be and should not be
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Copyright © 1994 by the American Society of Civil Engineers,
All Rights Reserved.
Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 94-20810
ISBN 0-7844-0033-4
Manufactured in the United States of America.
MANUALS AND REPORTS ON ENGINEERING PRACTICE
(As developed by the ASCE Technical Procedures Committee,
July 1930, and revised March 1935, February 1962, April 1982)
A manual or report in this series consists of an orderly presenta-
tion of facts on a particular subject, supplemented by an analysis of limi-
tations and applications of these facts. It contains information useful to
the average engineer in his everyday work, rather than the findings that
may be useful only occasionally or rarely. It is not in any sense a "stan-
dard," however; nor is it so elementary or so conclusive as to provide a
"rule of thumb" for nonengineers.
Furthermore, material in this series, in distinction from a paper
(which expresses only one person's observations or opinions), is the
work of a committee or group selected to assemble and express informa-
tion on a specific topic. As often as practicable the committee is under
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In February 1962 (and revised in April, 1982) the Board of
Direction voted to establish:
A series entitled 'Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice,'to
include the Manuals published and authorized to date, future
Manuals of Professional Practice, and Reports on Engineering
Practice. All such Manual or Report material of the Society would
have been refereed in a manner approved by the Board
Committee on Publications and would be bound, with applicable
discussion, in books similar to past Manuals. Numbering would be
consecutive and would be a continuation of present Manual num
bers. In some cases of reports of joint committees, bypassing of
Journal publications may be authorized.
# MANUALS AND REPORTS OF ENGINEERING PRACTICE
10 Technical Procedures for City Surveys
13 Filtering Materials for Sewage Treatment Plants
14 Accommodation of Utility Plant Within the Rights-of-Way of Urban Streets and
Highways
31 Design of Cylindrical Concrete Shell Roofs
33 Cost Control and Accounting for Civil Engineers
34 Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms
35 A List of Translations of Foreign Literature on Hydraulics
36 Wastewater Treatment Plant Design
37 Design and Construction of Sanitary and Storm Sewers
40 Ground Water Management
41 Plastic Design in Steel-A Guide and Commentary
42 Design of Structures to Resist Nuclear Weapons Effects
45 Consulting Engineering-A Guide for the Engagement of Engineering Services
46 Report on Pipeline Location
47 Selected Abstracts on Structural Applications of Plastics
49 Urban Planning Guide
50 Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors
51 Survey of Current Structural Research
52 Guide for the Design of Steel Transmission Towers
53 Criteria for Maintenance of Multilane Highways
54 Sedimentation Engineering
55 Guide to Employment Conditions for Civil Engineers
57 Management, Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation and Drainage Systems
58 Structural Analysis and Design of Nuclear Plant Facilities
59 Computer Pricing Practices
60 Gravity Sanitary Sewer Design and Construction
62 Existing Sewer Evaluation and Rehabilitation
63 Structural Plastics Design Manual
64 Manual on Engineering Surveying
65 Construction Cost Control
66 Structural Plastics Selection Manual
67 Wind Tunnel Model Studies of Buildings and Structures
68 Aeration-A Wastewater Treatment Process
69 Sulfide in Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems
70 Evapotranspiration and Irrigation Water Requirements
71 Agricultural Salinity Assessment and Management
72 Design of Steel Transmission Structures
73 Quality in the Constructed Project-a Guide for Owners, Designers, and
Constructors
74 Guidelines for Electrical Transmission Line Structural Loading
75 Right-of-Way Surveying
76 Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
77 Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems
78 Structural Fire Protection
79 Steel Penstocks
80 Ship Channel Design
CONTENTS
Foreword vii
Introduction ix
Chapter 1. Planning and Environmental Considerations 1
A. Introduction 1
B. Marina Demand and Program 3
C. Marina Location Criteria 3
D. Site Investigation and Analysis 9
E. Legal and Regulatory Issues 15
F. Facilities to be Provided 21
G. Utilities and Services 32
H. Harbor Configuration Planning 36
I. Potential Environmental Issues 48
J. Marina Activities and Environmental Mitigation 55
Chapter 1 References 60
Chapter 2. Entrance Design and Breakwaters 63
A. Introduction 63
B. Harbor Entrances and Channels 64
1. Channel Conditions Design Criteria 64
2. Channel Configuration Criteria 66
3. Channel Cross-Section Criteria 67
4. Harbor and Channel Sedimentation and Maintenance.... 76
C. Breakwaters and Wave Attenuators 85
1. Baseline Conditions that Affect Breakwater Design 86
2. Analyze and Select the Incident Design Conditions 86
3. Define the Desired Wave Conditions Inside the
Breakwater 110
4. Evaluate Breakwater Alternatives 111
5. Design the Breakwater Selected 119
Chapter 2 References 148
CONTENTS
Chapter 3. Inner Harbor Structures 161
A. Introduction 161
B. Perimeter Stabilization 162
C. Fixed Piers 172
D. Floating Dockage Systems 176
E. Accessories 219
F. Ice Problems and Action 220
G. Dockside Utilities 226
H. Dry Stack Storage 230
I. Small Boat Haulout 240
J. Trailer Systems and Launching Ramps 242
K. Small Boat Block and Support Systems 245
L. Codes, Regulations, Guidelines, and References 252
Chapters. References 253
Chapter 4. Economics and Finance 255
A. Introduction 255
B. Market Analysis 257
1. Supply Considerations 258
2. Definition of Market Area for Potential Land/Water
Users 259
3. Evaluation and Projection of Market Area Demand
Factors for Each Land/Water Use 260
4. Presentation of Net Demand and Project Absorption 263
C. Financial Feasibility Assessment 264
1. Selecting the Appropriate Type of Financial Feasibility
Assessment Model 264
2. Determining Capital Costs 266
3. Operating Income and Response Projections 269
D. Capital Funding Approaches 270
1. General Considerations on Capital Funding 270
2. Public/Private Partnerships 273
3. The Developer Recruitment Process 276
E. Specialized Aspects and Trends in Marina Development.... 277
1. Small Craft Harbors as Part of Multiple Use
Developments 278
2. Rentals Versus Dockominiums 278
3. Dry Stack Storage 279
4. Winter Storage 281
Index 283
FOREWORD
Planning and Design Guidelines for
Small Craft Harbors
The Task Committee on Marinas 2000 was formed in 1988 for the
purpose of updating ASCE Manual 50, Report on Small Craft Harbors.
James Muschell was Chairman of the Committee at that time, and was
responsible for the preparation of a questionnaire, which was sent to
interested ASCE members, that helped define the initial direction for the
new manual. Fred Klancnik succeeded Mr. Muschell as Chairman in
1991, and also served as the overall editor of this publication. The
following members served as chapter editors: Fred Klancnik for Chapter
1, Planning and Environmental Considerations; Douglas Sethness for
Chapter 2, Entrance Design and Breakwaters; Kenneth Childs for Chap-
ter 3, Inner Harbor Structures; and Fred Klancnik, Lawrence Williams,
and Patrick Phillips for Chapter 4, Economics and Finance.
The four chapters of this publication appeared as a progress report
which was presented and published as part of the proceedings of Ports
'92, an ASCE specialty conference which took place in Seattle, Washing-
ton in July 1992. The Chapter Editors presented the basic information and
led discussions at sessions dedicated to small craft harbors. Written
suggestions were received from the members at large after this confer-
ence.
A peer review committee, consisting of Jeffery Layton, John Lesnik,
and Neil Ross, reviewed the draft of the report and contributed commen-
tary which was incorporated into the text during editing. In addition,
Professor C. Allen Wortley served as a senior advisor to Fred Klancnik
throughout the writing and editing process as part of an Engineering
Professional Development Independent Study Project undertaken at the
University of Wisconsin. Special thanks to Judy Montblanc, Sherry
Hardee, and Robin Davis, who served as the administrative assistants to
the editors of this technical document.
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INTRODUCTION
Planning and Design Guidelines for
Small Craft Harbors
Fred A. Klancnik, P.E., FASCE1
In the 25 years which have passed since the "Report on Small Craft
Harbors" was first published in 1969, marina development has gone
through a dramatic transformation. Across the nation community atten-
tion has focused increasingly on the waterfront. Public pressure for
improved access to the oceans, lakes, and rivers and a heightened public
awareness of the environmental impacts of harbor construction have
changed the way in which the marina designer must approach harbor
development. This report will provide the practicing civil engineer with
state-of-the-art guidelines for the planning, design, construction, and
financing of small craft harbors.
The boating community has become increasingly sophisticated in its
demand for safer, more convenient facilities. At the same time, the
general public wants better visual and physical access to the water. Also,
the real estate developer (private and public) requires an efficient and
profitable marina operation. These three general objectives usually shape
initial project goals. Each project will offer its own set of opportunities in
terms of market and environmental regulation, land ownership, and
financial conditions. Each project requires a site-specific evaluation to
understand the physical environment, determine the demand for facili-
ties, and to establish the regulatory climate within which the harbor is to
be developed. Once clear objectives are established and constraints are
understood, an optimal solution can be defined through technical analy-
ses of alternative plans, construction methods, and materials. This work
1Chairman, ASCE Committee-Marinas 2000, Vice-President, Johnson, Johnson
& Roy Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
