Dredged Material Research. Notes, News, Reviews, etc. Volume D-82-3. Influence of Breakwaters on Artificial Saltwater Marsh Establishment,
Abstract
The U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) conducted a study to test the feasibility of artificially establishing saltmarsh on dredged material in a high-energy wind-driven wave climate. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District, Mobile, sponsored the study because they planned to plant saltmarsh grass along a dike on one side of a dredged material disposal island in Mobile Bay. Technical assistance and other support were provided through DOTS. The District planned to use the marsh grass primarily for erosion control on the dike, a practice demonstrated by numerous investigators. They also hoped that the saltmarsh would serve as wildlife habitat. The District considered whether or not marsh grass transplants could be established in the high wave-energy environment without protection. The alternatives were to plant marsh grass without protection or to erect some type of wave-stilling device and plant behind it. Various types of wave-stilling devices were considered for possible use in this situation. The WES and the District considered two breakwaters, a floating tire breakwater (FTB) and a fixed breakwater. Costs and labor requirements for both breakwaters seemed too high. This led to the decision to conduct a small-scale demonstration study where marsh grasses were planted without protection on a portion of the planting site. Later, marsh grasses were planted behind an FTB and a fixed breakwater to evaluate their effectiveness in protecting plants from waves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA118762
Entities
People
- Hollis H. Allen
- James W. Webb