Coastal Wetland Adaptation Strategies
SLAMM Municipal Workshops
October 28th and 30th, 2014
Caitlin Chaffee
Wenley Ferguson
Adaptation Strategies
• Upland
– Adopt activities that facilitate marsh migration
– Change/move land use activities that inhibit marsh
migration
– Remove physical barriers
• In-Marsh
– Drainage improvements (small creek excavation)
– Elevation enhancement
– Erosion control along marsh edge
Winnapaug Pond Marsh, Westerly
Marsh migration occurring yet impounded
water creating mosquito breeding habitat
Palmer River Marsh, Barrington
Round Marsh, Jamestown
Old farm path impediment to marsh
migration into red maple swamp
Marsh migrating into field
Bike path in marsh area
Colt State Park, Bristol
Mowed marsh area
1995
Colt State Park, Bristol
Marsh after path moved
1996: marsh mowed
Bike path relocated in late 1990s
and “mow line” moved inland
1
2
Opportunity to move mow line inland to allow wetland
forming behind beach to migrate inland
Seapowet Point, Tiverton
1
2
Allins Cove, Barrington
Marsh restoration area
Eroded bank at base of Byway Rd
Coir envelope installation
Stillhouse Cove, Cranston
Mill Cove Road, Warwick
Mill Cove Road, Warwick
Clark Road, Kickemuit River, Warren
Marsh at end of road
Road removal area
Clark Road, Warren
Clark Road, Warren
Kickemuit Avenue, Bristol
Kickemuit Ave., Bristol
Atlantic Ave., Westerly,
Winnapaug Pond
Proposed sediment
forebay, filter strip and
check dams
Barrington Community Garden
Marsh migration occurring
Jamiel Park, Warren
Tidal creek under Market St
Potential area for marsh
migration if vehicular access
changed to Wood Street
Kickemuit River adaptation opportunities
Kickemuit Reservoir Dam: vulnerable to
storm surge; future site for marsh
migration
1
Potential area to limit
vehicular access
2
Edgewater Drive, Apponaug
Cove, Warwick
Flooding during a moon tide
1
Ponded water at low tide
2
Coldwell Street, Warwick
Land protection of small lots
required for low lying road to
be closed to vehicle access
In marsh adaptation
• Small creeks and runnels excavation
– Partners include: municipalities, land trusts, Save The
Bay and RIDEM Mosquito Abatement Program
– STB provides project design development, permit
preparation, organization of volunteers for “dig days”,
and restoration monitoring
– RIDEM provides low ground pressure equipment and
operator if necessary
– CRMC Habitat Fund and NRCS has provided funding
– Projects range from $5,000 to $15,000
Gooseneck
Cove adaptive
management
Small creeks dug to drain
impounded water
2010
2012
2007
Round Marsh, Jamestown
Round Marsh, Jamestown
2012
Winnapaug Marsh adaptation project
Thank You

Coastal Wetland Adaptation Strategies