The Magdalen Islands, one of Quebec’s iconic archipelagos, are facing growing challenges related to shoreline erosion, a phenomenon that has caused the loss of more than 9 meters of shoreline since 2005, or about half a meter per year. This accelerated erosion is exacerbated by the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, reduced winter ice cover, and more frequent and intense storms. Events such as the storms Dorian in 2019 and Fiona in 2022 have highlighted the vulnerability of coastlines, causing submersions and major damage to coastal infrastructure. To counter this dynamic and prepare the archipelago to adapt to climate change, effective protection solutions are more necessary than ever.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility commissioned Artelia to carry out a detailed study of climate change adaptation scenarios for the Magdalen Islands. Our hydraulics experts were tasked with analyzing hydrosedimentary conditions and proposing concrete solutions to protect shorelines. The study involved the creation of hydraulic models for the five sectors of the Pointe-aux-Loups hydrosedimentary unit, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of protective structures and their impact on coastal erosion and flooding.

Artelia provided a series of specialized services, including analysis of tides, waves and ice dynamics, as well as a complete geomorphological characterization of the coastline. We designed suitable protective structures, taking into account socio-environmental impacts and providing construction cost estimates. Our sediment transport modeling enabled us to assess the long-term effects of the proposed solutions, guaranteeing their viability in a constantly changing context.