Fowl River Private Living Shorelines

The Nature Conservancy constructed two demonstration living shorelines projects in the Fowl River in Theodore, Alabama. These living shorelines were constructed on private properties with failing bulkheads and erosion problems. This project retrofitted the existing bulkheads with tiered gabion baskets filled with solely native marsh plants, or marsh plants and dredged material. These methods mimicked the natural slope of the riverbank and were able to protect 200 feet of shoreline and enhance 720 square feet of marsh. This design reduces wave energy and erosion, more than traditional bulkheads. The native marsh plants help reduce runoff, and this project avoids bulkhead removal and replacement costs.