Assessing living shoreline feasibility at a remote site influenced by ship wake: a case study at Pea Patch Island on the Delaware River
Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Anthropogenic stressors along estuarine systems lead to increased erosion and degradation of productive wetland habitat and endanger critical infrastructure and resources. Living shorelines (LSs) are a nature-based design solution that protect vulnerable coastal habitats and communities while maintaining a hydrological connection between land and waterbody. LSs are designed to enhance shoreline ecology and stability, buffer wave energy, and accrete shoreline sediments by establishing or acting in place of natural features that protect coasts. Currently, there is little guidance for how LSs may be designed to protect or enhance areas with atypical conditions, including those impacted by recurring ship wake and higher wave energy, or sites with remote access. This research reviews current LS applications in the state of Delaware and employs a preliminary version of the soon to be released Living Shoreline Feasibility Model (LSFM) created by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to assess the feasibility of a LS intervention on a small estuarine island (Pea Patch Island) along a major shipping route (the Delaware River) that experiences moderate wake and wind-driven wave energy. Results of the LSFM and site analysis are used to inform a LS design to be implemented in further experimentation on the island.
Description
Keywords
Coastal resilience, Coastal wetlands, Green infrastructure, Living shoreline, Ship wake, Shoreline stabilization