breakwater vs jetty

Both 'breakwater' and 'jetty' are correct terms used in the context of coastal engineering. They refer to structures built along coastlines to protect harbors, shorelines, and navigation channels. While a breakwater is a structure designed to break the force of waves and protect a harbor, a jetty is a structure that extends into the water to prevent sediment deposition and control currents.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 810 views

breakwater

The term 'breakwater' is correct and commonly used in coastal engineering to refer to a structure built offshore to protect a harbor or shoreline from the force of waves.

It is used to describe a structure that is constructed parallel to the shore to break the force of incoming waves and protect the coast from erosion.

Examples:

The breakwater was built to shield the harbor from the strong waves.
The breakwater reduced the impact of the storm surge on the coastline.
The construction of a breakwater helped to create a calm water area for boats to dock.
The breakwater provided a safe area for swimming by reducing the wave energy near the shore.
The breakwater was designed to dissipate wave energy and protect the beach from erosion.

Show examples from the web [+]

I dreamed he was walking along the breakwater.
ENEL's plans to convert the TVN power station to coal (2003) involve altering the size and the role of the breakwater that is being converted into an unloading bay for coal under the plans for the dock.
Skipper, SS Venture, you are approaching the breakwater at flank speed.
They've built some form of wooden platform on the breakwater.
the new breakwater is useless as far as containing coastal erosion is concerned, since one of the contributory causes of the erosion is precisely the presence of two other breakwaters in the area;
the building of another new breakwater approximately 220 metres long and 24 metres wide in that same inlet.
The breakwater proposal would've caused real environmental damage.
The Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria has invented an innovative breakwater that can generate electricity with the aid of wave motion.
You're just upset that I didn't support your breakwater deal.
The previous expansion of the port, involving construction of the eastern breakwater (which protects Muelle Prat) received 53 % of its funding (EUR 277 million) from the EU cohesion fund.
Subject: Environmental alteration of Laxe beach as a result of the expansion of a breakwater
The port of Laxe (La Coruña) and the adjoining beach are seriously threatened by alterations in sea currents as a result of the expansion of a breakwater in 1988.
This breakwater, constructed without any form of planning procedure, follows the marine and land contours of the port and has caused serious environmental changes in the area.
A tour boat guy called in a body down at the Breakwater.
A kilometre-long Rewec breakwater generates, on average, 6000-9000 MWh a year in the Mediterranean (compared with 66000 MWh in California).
removing the existing inlet by raising the outer breakwater and eliminating the inner breakwater, which is considered to be the main cause of the erosion;
This concerns support for breakwater constructions, marking of approach channels, depth, protective installations and dredging.
I can cut loose, drift out beyond the breakwater... before I start my engines.
Dragged along the tide line, floated in the sea, tied to a breakwater, the chair only lasted a summer and always had to be replaced.
the construction of a breakwater more than 220 metres long in an area covered by a number of conservation orders is incompatible with the aims of restoring the environment set out in the ROP;

Alternatives:

sea wall
coastal protection structure
wave barrier
shoreline defense
harbor shield

jetty

The term 'jetty' is correct and commonly used in coastal engineering to refer to a structure that extends into the water to prevent sediment deposition and control currents.

It is used to describe a structure that is built perpendicular to the shore to protect a harbor entrance, prevent sediment accumulation, and control the flow of currents.