Shoreline Stabilization, The Good And The Not-So-Good:

Erosion is a continual problem along this and most rivers of the Chesapeake Bay.  On the lower river shore, the effects of Hurricane Isabel are dramatic at Roaring Point, where erosion has historically been severe.  The bank was undercut below the park fence, and the configuration of this part of the rivershore makes it impossible for the steep bank to regenerate in the summer, as the beach portion does.  We consulted with Mitch Keiler of the MD Dept. of Natural Resources Living Shorelines program, and he recommended re-grading the bank and installing natural stabilizing devices.  Please see the Roaring Point Shoreline Stabilization page for more background, volunteer information, and photographs!

In the upper portion of the river, where wind-driven wave action is not a problem, erosion has recently increased due to the influx of large boats from the Blades Marina, many of which violate the 6-knot speed limits in that region (as you may remember, this was one of our concerns when we opposed the Marina Proposal).  In response, property owners are turning to rip-rap and stone revetment for stabilization.  One such case was a project near the Woodland Ferry, where trees extend down to the water’s edge.  We voiced our concerns to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control about this proposal, and the property owners agreed to limit the stone to hand-placing around the trees instead of clearing the shoreline, and to eliminate a proposal to construct two 20-foot groins.  We remain strongly concerned about the impact of shoreline hardening on the fragile interface between the land and water in this portion of the river.  Numerous species use the river shoreline habitat, shallow-water nearshore areas, and the underwater regions of this portion of the Nanticoke River.  All are threatened by this type of habitat modification.  In addition, this alteration of wave and water flow patterns can increase erosion in adjacent portions.  It is the position of the Friends that a better approach to this erosion problem, which is entirely caused by human activity, would be to strictly enforce the speed limits in that section of the river.