Protecting Galveston Bay: The Importance of Living Shorelines

• July 24, 2024
• News

 

Galveston Bay, a vital ecosystem and economic hub along the Texas coast, faces recurring threats from natural disasters like hurricanes. To safeguard this region, innovative approaches such as living shorelines have emerged as a crucial defense mechanism. 

 

What is a Living Shoreline? 

Living shorelines represent a sustainable alternative to traditional hard infrastructure like seawalls and bulkheads. They utilize natural elements such as native plants, oyster reefs, and/or rock to stabilize coastal areas. These features not only mitigate erosion but also enhance biodiversity and water quality, making living shorelines ideal for enhancing the resilience of sensitive estuaries like Galveston Bay. 

Our Kemah Headquarters Living Shoreline  

Our 905-foot Living Shoreline was constructed at our Kemah headquarters in the summer of 2021 to reduce wave energy that might otherwise erode the shoreline.  

During normal conditions, the rock breakwater slows waves coming in from Bay, allowing sediment to fall out of those waves and build new land between the living shoreline and the existing shoreline. In the newly created calm area between the breakwater and the shoreline, native marsh grass was planted to restore 3 acres of intertidal marsh complex. The marsh also helps slow water flow and stabilize soil along the shoreline, reducing further erosion. 

During the landfall of Hurricane Beryl, our breakwater reduced wave energy and protected against storm-surge. The marsh vegetation helped stabilize the soil in the marsh and a secondary bulkhead stopped any erosion where the water met the land. These multiple lines of defense were hugely beneficial for our property and shoreline!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resilience Against Hurricanes 

Our Gulf Coast is no stranger to hurricanes, which can cause extensive damage to coastal communities and ecosystems. Living shorelines act as resilient defenses by: 

1. Absorbing Wave Energy: The natural components of living shorelines dissipate wave energy, reducing the force that reaches inland areas. They also build land by allowing sediment to build between the rock breakwater and the shoreline, providing further protection for the property.
2. Maintaining Shoreline Integrity: Unlike rigid structures that will fail over time, living shorelines adapt to changing environmental pressures, maintaining their effectiveness over time.
3. Supporting Community Resilience: By protecting critical habitats and coastal infrastructure, living shorelines enhance the overall resilience of communities along Galveston Bay.

By investing in living shorelines, we not only protect our communities but also ensure the long-term health and vitality of Galveston Bay for generations to come. 

Are you interested in a living shoreline for your property?

A common response to erosion control is to install a bulkhead. Unfortunately, bulkheads can increase erosion on adjacent, unprotected shorelines and are prone to structural failure over time. Galveston Bay Foundation offers property owners assistance in creating individually designed living shoreline structures for your unique situation and property. 

For more detailed information about living shorelines or the services we provide, contact Sally Clark at sclark@galvbay.org.