Current Conditions

This project stabilizes the shoreline at the base of some of Quiet Waters Park’s steepest slopes along the banks of Harness Creek. Adjacent to popular park trails threatened by continued slope erosion, this project also increases the habitat value of the site. This shoreline saw some of the worst erosion rates in the park at 3 or more feet per year; the sheer banks are 10-15 feet tall. The park has prohibited access to the trail along the top of the bank due to increased erosion and safety concerns for park visitors. The sediment eroding from the shoreline is polluting Harness Creek and there is currently little marsh or wildlife habitat along the targeted sections.

The project is composed of two different neighboring shorelines. At Shoreline A, a low stone sill was constructed as the backbone of the project, breaking up any waves approaching the banks. Rows of oyster reef balls, some set with spat by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, were placed just beyond the sill to provide further wave disruption and potentially a viable oyster reef as sea levels rise. The sill was backfilled with a sand/cobble mix to a depth suitable to plant low marsh grasses. This will help absorb wave energy, create marsh habitat, and capture eroding sediment, leading to new marsh habitat. The undercut banks were packed with woody debris to offer further stabilization.

At Shoreline B, anchored log sills using onsite downed trees were installed at the mean low water line to help protect planted marsh grasses.  A low marsh was established behind the log sills by bringing in sand fill and native marsh plants. This transitions into high marsh as it approaches the steep slope.