Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN for Reef Ball Shoreline Stabilization, Epifaunal and Fish Habitat Swan Creek Mitigation Wetland ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND 1.0 PURPOSE This plan has been developed to obtain data on the use of Reef Ball structures for shoreline stabilization and benthic and fish habitat. Data obtained from this project can be used for future projects utilizing Reef Balls for mitigation and shoreline stabilization through living shoreline systems. 2.0 INTRODUCTION Natural reefs can provide sufficient shoreline protection by attenuating the wave energy and modifying this energy to assist in accretion of sand on the leeward side of the reef. Reef Ball technology can be used in this manner for shoreline stabilization. This requires the reef structure to serve as a submerged breakwater, with the crest of the reef in close proximity to the water surface. The design and performance of submerged breakwaters are evaluated in terms of the wave attenuation and shoreline stabilization provided, with special design considerations for safety and stability and the environmental enhancement provided by these structures. The Swan Creek Mitigation Wetland (SCMW) is located adjacent to the South Cell of the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (CCDMCF), which is a located on Kembo Road in northern Anne Arundel County on the Patapsco River. To compensate for the loss of 4.87 acres of Patapsco River shallow open water habitat utilized in the renovation of the CCDMCF, a mitigation plan was developed to enhance approximately 11.13 acres of wetlands in the neighboring Swan Creek watershed. Prior to restoration and enhancement, much of the area was devoid of tidal influence. Construction of the mitigation area occurred in 2003. The mitigation project created a tidal marsh environment that includes areas of open water, low marsh interspersed with nonvegetated tidal flats, saltbush assemblages and a preserved and enhanced beach/bar habitat. The SCMW is located in an area prone to high energy from southeast winds. These winds accumulate over a 17-mile fetch between Anne Arundel County and Queen Anne County on the eastern shore of Maryland. With such a large fetch the beach/bar is currently vulnerable to moderate to severe erosion. In December 2006, Reef Balls were installed as shallow water habitat structures to assist in reducing this wave energy. 3.0 MONITORING PLAN ELEMENTS Maryland Environmental Service (MES) on behalf of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) will monitor the 57 Reef Ball structures placed 20 yards offshore of the northern section of the SCMW beach berm. The specific tasks under the monitoring plan include: detecting any movement of the Reef Balls from their original placement location, collecting quantitative data on sand accretion and biological community, and preparation of an annual report. 3.1 MOVEMENT OF REEF BALLS MES personnel will conduct weekly observation of Reef Balls to determine possible movement and damage. Observations will be conducted at low tide. If movement is determined, MES will move the affected Reef Balls to their original location. If movement frequently occurs, MES shall implement alternative anchoring methods. 3.2 SAND ACCRETION Moffatt and Nichol (M&N) will conduct, pending MPA approval, a hydrographic analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of Reef Ball breakwaters. This analysis will include wave force calculations and short and long term energy absorption. Upon completion M&N will submit a report to MES with results. MES will conduct surveys to determine the progress of sand accretion on the leeward side of the Reef Balls. This includes obtaining water depths through survey techniques and plotting the data in CAD software. Surveys will be conducted in predetermined intervals to determine accretion rates. For the first three months after deployment, surveys will be conducted every 30 days. Afterwards, surveys will then be conducted every 60 days up to one year after deployment. If accretion rates are determined beneficial, additional reef ball structures may be installed. MES personnel will conduct monthly photographic documentation of the affected beach location. (See Figure 2) Photographs will be conducted in the same location with the same focal length every month from fixed photo stations. These photos can be obtained in conjunction with the SCMW monitoring plan photo documentation. 3.3 BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITY ANALYSIS Biological community analysis will be conducted within one year after deployment. Analysis will then be conducted annually until determined otherwise by MPA. Biological community analysis will.....