Living Shorelines
What are Living Shorelines?
“Living Shorelines” are stabilized natural shorelines and banks which include plants, sand, and limited use of rock to provide shoreline protection and maintain valuable habitat. Wetland plants, submerged aquatic vegetation, oyster reefs, coir fiber logs, sand fill, and stone are used to provide natural, organic structures.
Benefits of Living Shorelines:
- Stabilization of the shoreline
- Protection of the surrounding riparian and intertidal environment
- Improvement of water quality via filtration of run-off
- Creation of habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species
Ironically, shorelines stabilized with hardened structures, such as bulkheads, revetment (a covering on an embankment), and seawalls often increase the rate of coastal erosion. These hardened structures remove the ability of the shoreline to carry out natural processes and provide little habitat for estuarine species. With shorelines threatened by erosion and sea level rise, the limitations and costs of hardened structures are being compared with natural approaches, such as Living Shorelines, to mitigate coastal erosion and flooding problems.
Collins Cove Living Shoreline
Much of Salem, MA’s shoreline is hardened and threatened by erosion and sea level rise. Salem Sound Coastwatch is working with the City of Salem to find natural approaches to mitigating coastal erosion and flooding problems. The Collins Cove Living Shoreline, a City of Salem project, was funded by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management Coastal Resilience Grant Program. Salem Sound Coastwatch oversaw the planting of 19,550 salt grass plants by 260 volunteers to make this new salt marsh a reality.
Collins Cove Salt Marsh Enhancement Project →
Part One – This story map includes historical maps, information on living shorelines, and the design and permitting of the Collins Cove Living Shoreline.
Return of a Salt Marsh – Collins Cove Living Shoreline →
Part Two – The second story map documents the Living Shoreline construction, monitoring and maintenance from 2019 – 2021.
Forest River Park Living Shoreline
Many years ago in Salem’s Forest River Park, a natural tidal inlet was first transformed into a recreational salt-water pool and then into a conventional concrete swimming pool. When the City of Salem rebuilt the pool and bath house, Salem Sound Coastwatch worked with the city to restore the salt marsh and create a Living Shoreline in 2022. We will continue to help the city, ensuring that this newly planted marsh succeeds. If you are interested in helping, make sure you volunteer.