Navy Yard May Be Walled Off Due To Global Warming: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- Concerns about flooding at Navy Yard caused by climate change could lead Navy officials to build a large flood wall that could make other developments more prone to flooding, according to a report.

Bloomberg reports that the Navy is considering erected a 14-foot flood wall that would protect the historic Navy Yard complex, where many Navy program offices are based, from flooding due to the growing threat of climate change.

The project would cost as much as $20 million and the structure would stretch as long as 1.5 miles, according to the report. The wall would protect around three dozen buildings.

The Navy reportedly has considered a wall since 2016. The Navy Yard was established in 1799 and is the service's oldest installation. It is one of several military installations identified by the Defense Department in January as being threatened by climate change.

But Bloomberg noted that the flood wall could cause problems for surrounding developments. The DOD report noted that in addition to the high cost of construction, a major disadvantage of the wall would be that it "alters local hydrology," meaning a greater flood risk to neighboring properties.

As a result, there's likely to be a good bit of pushback from local developers if the Navy decides to move forward with constructing the wall.

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