Stretch along Maurice River in Cumberland becomes a living shoreline

[dogg57]

COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP - A short stretch of marsh along the Maurice River is the latest New Jersey test site for a unique way of naturally reinforcing the shoreline.
Researchers will use the site to learn how to restore and fortify the marsh through a "living shoreline," which uses natural materials, such as native plants and oyster shells, to restore degraded areas and create a rich habitat for grasses, crabs and fish.
Call it using the marsh to restore the marsh.
Along with the Partnership for the
Delaware Estuary, researchers at the Haskins Shellfish lab have used coconut fiber logs, ribbed mussels cultured in the lab and native marsh grasses to fortify about a dozen yards of shoreline that had suffered erosion from boat wakes, daily tides and storms.
And this method, researchers say, can be applied to parks, marinas and even waterfront homes where property owners are considering putting in bulkheads.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/...cle_de5d1ddc-f3dd-51fd-8d11-02d07bbf6f45.html

 

[piker56]

I spend time on Malaga Lake, which I believe feeds the upper Maurice River. There must be a Bald Eagle nest along the river somewhere because I see one of the mature eagles hunting Malaga Lake often. I know they are more common now, but it's still a thrill to see one catch a fish!