Pierce Marsh

Pierce Marsh, 971 hectares of salt marsh, shallow open water, and salt prairie in Hitchcock, Texas, is threatened by subsidence, erosion, and freshwater intrusion. Restoration efforts have been underway since 1999, and in 2016 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restored 32 hectares of marsh through beneficial use of dredged material. 150,000 cubic meters of material dredged from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was used to increase elevation and reduce erosion at Pierce Marsh. The restored area was also reseeded with native vegetation. This project enhanced biodiversity, reduced erosion, increased resiliency to sea-level rise and storms, improved water quality, increased surrounding property values, and will increase tourism in the area.