This presentation is part of the Rock: It's Not Just for Revetments Anymore organized session.
Rock can be a useful tool for habitat creation and to protect Great Lakes shorelines from storm surges and fluctuating water levels. Here we will highlight how rock has been used for restoration in the past, as well as new and innovative uses for rock in restoration. We will also showcase several restoration projects funded through the NOAA Restoration Center.
This presentation is part of the Rock: It's Not Just for Revetments Anymore organized session.
Climate change, changes in Great Lakes water levels, shoreline armoring, invasive species and many other factors have had significant impacts on the resilience of nearshore habitats and species. This talk will focus on the Great Lakes Reef Restoration Working Group, the purpose of the group, who participates, and goals. In addition, a brief overview on several reef restoration projects will be highlighted in a short presentation.
This presentation is part of the Rock: It's Not Just for Revetments Anymore organized session.
The Township of Chesterfield, Michigan had a tough decision to make regarding a failing seawall along one of their public parks. The choice was to replace the seawall with another or find an alternative solution. In partnership with the Great Lakes Commission and NOAA, an alternative solution was designed to naturalize the shoreline and install offshore habitat shoals for protection. Implementation of this project has resulted in 740 feet of softened shoreline and 3.2 acres of restored nearshore habitat.
This presentation is part of the Rock: It's Not Just for Revetments Anymore organized session.
Historically, rock substrate was available in the Detroit River as spawning and feeding habitat for Great Lakes fish and other aquatic organisms. This presentation will briefly describe the loss of habitat in the Detroit River and how the use of rock and other habitat restoration techniques can provide habitat as well as provide resilient protection from erosion and the impacts of a changing climate.
This presentation is part of the Rock: It's Not Just for Revetments Anymore organized session.
Ralph Wilson Park is a 100+ acre park located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Buffalo. Rooted in a multi-year community visioning process, the generational transformation of the park is world-class in its approach to resiliency, sustainability and equity. Located at the confluence of the Niagara River and Lake Erie, the park's hardened cement sea wall endures the full brunt of 180 miles of momentum gained as winds and storms cross shallow Lake Erie. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, in partnership with the City of Buffalo and multiple stakeholders, the renovation's scope includes extensive habitat enhancement, removal of the cement seawall and replacement with a resilient mix of armored stone and native plantings. This presentation will focus on the use of armored stone as a means to increase shoreline resiliency/lessen storm impact and flooding in the renovated park. We will also highlight habitat restoration efforts created to enhance fish spawning opportunities and wildlife habitat.
