Shoreline, Estuary and Marsh Restoration and Management

Beaches, bluffs, dunes, estuaries and marshes are dynamic features that naturally respond to the effects of water level, waves and currents. Although naturally dynamic, alteration of these features can result in increased coastal flood risk and erosion, loss of wetland and coastal habitat, and damage to infrastructure.

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GZA’s coastal engineering, ecology and geomorphology specialists utilize a risk-based, “design with nature” approach that makes extensive use of sustainable, natural and nature-based features and utilizes traditional hard and hybrid structures such as seawalls, revetments, breakwaters, sills, jetties, groins, wave attenuators and reinforced dunes where appropriate. Project success is linked to interdisciplinary involvement by GZA’s engineers, ecologists, planners, landscape architects and grant specialists who work collaboratively within our Design with Nature Studio.

Nature-Based Solutions

Living shorelines
Beach nourishment
Dune restoration
Coastal bluff stabilization using bioengineering
Marsh restoration
Marsh creation/enhancement
Wetland restoration
Wetland construction
Estuary restoration
Submerged aquatic vegetation identification and restoration
Estuarine circulation restoration

Hybrid & Engineered Solutions

Reef-Based Protection Systems (oyster reefs, oyster castles, living reefs, living seawalls, )
Wave Attenuation Systems (breakwaters, living breakwaters, floating breakwaters, sills, brills)
Marsh Protection & Enhancement (marsh toe protection, coir logs, thin-layer sediment placement, beneficial use of dredged material)
Shoreline Stabilization Systems (revetments, ecological revetments, oyster bags, living seawalls)
Beach & Dune Protection Systems (reinforced dunes, engineered dune systems)
Sediment Management Structures (jetties, groins, beach cells)
Coastal Hydrologic Restoration (tide gates, tidal exchange restoration, fish passage improvements)