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SHORELINE EROSION
A forested island appeared out of nowhere on a Canadian lake, disappeared weeks later and returned miles away, revealing a strange natural phenomenon officials still cannot fully explainA floating forest island appeared on Williston Lake in British Columbia this summer. Boaters discovered the unusual landmass, which was not...
In 2016, New Smyrna Beach faced Hurricane Matthew with planted living shorelines; winds topped 90 mph, yet the demonstration structures remained standingThe living shoreline initiative in New Smyrna Beach demonstrated remarkable resilience during Hurricane Matthew, effectively absorbing the ...
In 2000, NOAA planted 500 square meters of cordgrass and added oyster shell on Pivers Island; the living shoreline later weathered Hurricanes Irene and FlorenceIn North Carolina, a living shoreline project has proven effective in combating significant erosion, relying on natural materials like mars...
In 2004, Illinois began Cedar Lake restoration with 3 projects to curb erosion. 18 years later, Cedar Creek was delisted for 3 impairments after sediment and TSS improvedCedar Lake erosion restoration Illinois: Extensive erosion restoration efforts at Cedar Lake have significantly improved water quality. Pro...
This city in Florida lost nearly 80% of its Oyster reefs; now a restoration project is rebuilding what disappeared. Here's howNaples Bay is taking an innovative step by restoring its oyster reefs, which will enhance natural shoreline defenses. These vital reefs pla...
In 2015, Cullinan Ranch crews breached levees, bringing tidal flows back to 1,200 acres. 11 years later, migratory birds and fish now use the restored Napa River habitat in CaliforniaTidal marshes are valuable coastal wetlands that support wildlife, protect shorelines, filter polluted water and provide other ecosystem se...
In 2010, federal wildlife trustees secured $2.65 million for San Francisco Bay tidal marsh restoration. 5 years later, tidal waters returned to 1,250 acres at Cullinan RanchSan Francisco Bay tidal marshes are being restored for a reason that reaches far beyond wildlife. These wetlands filter polluted water and ...
In 2014, East Bay Regional Park District began restoring Dotson Family Marsh, creating channels that reconnected it to the San Francisco Bay. 6 years later, tidal wetlands had returnedHistory of Dotson Family Marsh helps explain why its recovery matters. The broader 150-acre property was acquired by the East Bay Regional ...
In 2006, Illinois listed 10.69 miles of Cahokia Creek as impaired. 14 years later, Heartlands Conservancy's BMPs improved the stream, leading to delisting in 2020Cahokia Creek in Illinois was impaired due to severe streambank erosion and lack of vegetation. Heartlands Conservancy used grant funding t...
In 2012, Maryland's Greensboro launched 2 projects to curb stormwater flooding. 9 years later, its firehouse gained permeable pavers and step pools, helping reduce pollutants reaching the riverGreensboro, Maryland, has successfully implemented modern stormwater control practices, improving water quality. These projects, funded by ...
In 1972, a 3,300-acre preservation effort began protecting the Elk River Chain of Lakes in Michigan. More than 50 years later, monitoring shows water quality remains healthyMore than half a century ago, a conservation effort in northern Michigan set out to protect an extraordinary network of waterways, and its ...
In 2004, community partners began tackling Kent Park Lake's nutrient and sediment pollution. 20 years later, the lake met water quality standards and was removed from Iowa's impaired-waters list in 2024Kent Park Lake restoration took 20 years to deliver a result Iowa officials could finally recognize. The lake once struggled with nutrient ...
In 1994, Illinois EPA listed 50.75 miles of Silver Creek as impaired by farm pollution. 28 years later, Illinois removed the creek from its impaired list in 2022Upper Silver Creek in Illinois has been removed from an impaired waters list. Best management practices were installed to reduce pollution ...
In Texas, oyster-shell waste became reef “shell bags”; along Galveston Bay, the new shell reefs supported living oysters and helped stabilize shorelinesThe Galveston Bay Foundation has initiated a commendable recycling program to repurpose oyster shells from local restaurants for vital reef...
Louisiana used 13 million pounds of discarded oyster shells to build 8,000 feet of living shoreline; studies found oyster reefs can reduce wave heights under some conditionsIn Louisiana, discarded oyster shells are being creatively transformed into living shorelines to combat coastal erosion and rising sea leve...
The Savannah River swapped bare marsh edge for oyster reefs in 2023; wave energy fell by up to 40%, giving Georgia coasts a tougher storm shieldScientists built oyster reefs in Georgia's Savannah River to reduce wave energy. These reefs lessened wave impact on the shoreline by as mu...
In 2021, Alabama started turning discarded Christmas trees into sand dunes: How old festive trees are now helping protect Gulf Coast beachesChristmas trees that were once the focal point of holiday celebrations are now playing a vital role in rebuilding sand dunes along Alabama'...
In 1992, engineers began protecting 55 km of Ottawa River shoreline with local rounded gravel. 19 years later, 80–90% of the banks were covered by indigenous vegetationOttawa River banks were protected using rounded granular material over fifteen years ago. This method halted erosion and created a riparian...
In the 1980s, the richest closed-canopy mangroves covered 77,643 sq km globally. 43 years later, they had grown to 88,772 sq km, helping turn decades of mangrove loss into a net global gainMangroves are far more than trees growing along tropical and subtropical shorelines. They form complex coastal ecosystems that provide habi...
New Jersey used 47 years of coastal storm data to uncover a hidden erosion threat; the result revealed damaging storm conditions at Sandy Hook now occur twice as often as they did in 1979Coastal erosion in New Jersey is changing as Sandy Hook now faces damaging storm conditions twice as often as 1979. Researchers used 47 yea...