 Shoreline
Protection Alternatives
There
are many types of waterfront property; some are nestled
in quiet coves or small creeks, while others face open water
and the waves that come with it. Some properties are suffering
the effects of steady erosion, while others are stable or growing.
For decades, despite the differences in shoreline types, there
has mostly been a “one-size-fits-all” approach
to shoreline protection – building bulkheads or installing
rock or rip-rap revetments.
In recent years, we have learned much about
the conditions that make a healthy river/Bay environment. Results
of recent studies have shown that when compared to shorelines
with vegetated marsh, hardened shorelines (bulkheads,
rock revetments) have a lower abundance of bottom-dwelling
organisms offshore and lower numbers of juvenile fish and crabs.
 Living Shorelines
In many cases, where the waterfront is subject to waves of
low to moderate energy, there are effective alternatives to
shoreline hardening. These methods of shoreline protection
are often referred to as “soft”, or “living” shoreline
protection. Some of the benefits of this approach are
- Lower construction costs when compared to bulkheads and
revetments
- Reduction of both sediment and pollutant flow into the
creek or river
- Maintaining a link between aquatic and upland habitats.
- Creating a natural shoreline appearance.
- Restores or maintains critical spawning and nursery areas
for fish, crabs and more.
Non-Structural Approach
 Shorelines
in creeks or coves that receive low energy waves can often
be protected by methods other than building hard structures.
Examples include (re)planting wetland vegetation and
beach replenishment. These methods are appropriate if the
property once had a vegetated wetland or beach, or if neighboring
shorelines currently have vegetated wetland shorelines or beaches.
In marsh restoration projects, where no
sand or sediment is added or removed, no regulatory permit
may be needed, reducing both cost and time. However, you should
always call your local wetlands board representative to be
sure.
Hybrid Approaches
 In
locations with greater exposure to waves, it may still be possible
to maintain a mostly natural shoreline. Three structural additions
used for this purpose are near and offshore breakwaters, sills and low
profile rock groins. Whereas the purpose of bulkheads
and revetments is to reflect or absorb wave energy, sills,
breakwaters and low rock groins are placed within the intertidal
zone, or beyond the low tide mark to enhance sand buildup
along the shoreline. In most cases, these structures are used
in concert with beach replenishment and marsh plantings.
Below are several resources containing greater
detail about Living Shorelines:
( images on this page were taken
from documents listed on this page or from Wetlands Watch
Archive) |
