Current Conditions

This project seeks to stabilize 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 seeks to increase the habitat value of the site. This shoreline sees 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 will be done in two distinct phases along two different shorelines (that neighbor each other). During Phase 1, a low stone sill will be constructed as the backbone of the project, breaking up any waves approaching the banks of Shoreline A. Rows of oyster reef balls will be placed adjacent to the sill to provide further wave disruption and potentially a viable oyster reef as sea levels rise. The sill will be backfilled with a sand/cobble mix to a depth suitable to plant low marsh grasses. This will help stabilize the placed sand, absorb wave energy, create marsh habitat, and capture sediments leading to the accretion of new marsh land. The undercut banks will be packed with debris to offer further stabilization.

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

Under Phase 2, oyster reef balls set with spat by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be deployed near an existing oyster reef channel-ward of the proposed low stone sill at Shoreline A (expected summer 2026). This project will be constructed via barge, minimizing impacts to park visitors.