Marsh Bank Erosion
The Partnership has documented substantial losses in marsh banks along many sections of the Great Marsh. Over fifteen feet per year have been lost in some areas of Essex Bay and Plum Island Sound. Twenty-four Erosion monitoring stations have been established to determine rates and causes of loss. The Partnership is expanding the network of monitoring stations and implementing mitigation strategies to protect the marsh from future loss. Research also is underway to determine the effectiveness of various living shorelines including marsh bank sloping and mussel reefs.
The marsh bank is disappearing along many sections of Great Marsh.
Over fifteen feet per year have been lost in some areas of Essex Bay, Plum Island Sound, and the Merrimack River Basin in the last few years
24 monitoring stations were established in 2014 to determine rates and causes of loss
The Partnership is expanding the network of monitoring stations and researching mitigation strategies (living shorelines, such as shellfish reefs, bank sloping, and other bank edge protection measures) to protect the marsh from future loss.
Protection and restoration of the Great Marsh is made possible with support from our local communities.
Sustaining the longevity and viability of our work in The Great Marsh would not be possible without the support of local, state, and national community partners. If you’d like to volunteer or become a sustaining member, you can support us using the link below.