Along a shoreline in Round Bay on the Severn River a steep coastal bluff was eroding at an increasing rate, resulting in significant tree loss and endangering a sandy spit protecting a tidal pond. Bulkhead and blue stone revetment armored portions of the shoreline. The landowners chose to pursue a dynamic living shoreline to protect their property from erosion, provide habitat and ecosystem services, and restore their piece of the Severn back to a natural state. 

 

This living shoreline project utilized a series of breakwaters and tombolos to dissipate wave energy, stabilize the existing shoreline and adjacent steep slope, and create and enhance a mosaic of estuarine habitats, including tidal marsh, beach strand, and submerged aquatic vegetation habitat.

 

Breakwater and tombolo designs control shoreline erosion by “breaking” the force of the incoming waves before they reach the shoreline, thus maintaining a wide protective beach and/or tidal marsh. Constructed sand tombolos connect the shoreline to the armored breakwaters, creating a series of embayments. At locations with a natural sand supply, the tombolos will trap sand from littoral drift and accumulate area over time. This type of restoration project provides substantial area for beach strand and tidal marsh habitat.

 

The landowners now have enhanced access to the river, while horseshoe crabs, diamondback terrapins, and many other animals now have access to the shoreline. Like all Underwood & Associates projects, the Kyle Point Dynamic Living Shoreline will only become stronger over time. Native grasses and plants will become established and fill in thickly, and sand, cobble, and other building materials will settle into place. Installed once, giving back to the Severn for countless years to come.