Saltmarsh - offshore breakwaters

Protecting newly established or establishing saltmarsh can be enhanced by reducing wave energy. This is practiced at many sites in the USA where the use of dredged material is associated with planting native Spartina. Offshore breakwaters using amongst other things, geo-tubes.

In the UK this technique was applied in conjunction with 'warping' on the coast at Dengie, in Essex (see picture opposite).

Caption: Saltmarsh restoration using a system of fences and offshore breakwater composed of sunken Thames Barges filled with sand (shown on the horizon), the Dengie Peninsular, Essex