Estuary Restoration

Blue Coast is working with Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group to conduct the feasibility and design to restore tidal influence to the historic salt marsh at Point No Point.  Blue Coast has conducted a detailed coastal processes assessment to quantify water levels, wind-waves, and the effect of these hydrodynamic forces on the shoreline along the park. In addition, we have completed a geomorphic evaluation and sediment transport study to understand sediment supply and rates of accretion and erosion at the site.  These processes will play an important role in the design of a self-sustaining open tidal channel. The project has also included a review of ground water, surface water, and archaeological resources at the site. A conceptual design has been developed to accommodate the park uses, to maintain or enhance sediment transport, and restore salt water influence to the marsh, while maintaining access and preventing impacts to the adjacent structures.

 Blue Coast Engineering is leading a multi-disciplinary team to assist the Skagit River System Cooperative in developing restoration alternatives, complete an alternatives evaluation and complete preliminary documents for the project, a proposed salt marsh restoration and levee setback project adjacent to the Swinomish Channel and located on lands owned and managed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC). The primary goal of the project is to improve ecological function and provide up to 200 acres of salt marsh habitat for rearing juvenile Chinook salmon by setting back the existing levee along the Swinomish Channel and restoring tidal connectivity to historic salt marshes. 

 Blue Coast led a team assisting Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group with a project involving the design and restoration of a barrier embayment and stream through removal of a bulkhead and under-sized bridge. Blue Coast is responsible estuary design, coastal processes assessment, developing the site topography and infrastructure mapping, and preliminary and final design planset. The project is scheduled for construction in 2024.  

Blue Coast conducted a coastal engineering assessment in support of the feasibility and design of beach restoration alternatives at Lone Tree Lagoon near La Conner, Washington. Lone Tree Lagoon is a barrier estuary (locally called a pocket estuary) located on the Swinomish Reservation along the northern portion of Skagit Bay in Puget Sound. Lone Tree Lagoon is an important site to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) for cultural, recreational, and economic reasons. The site characterization was used to develop conceptual restoration alternatives and recommendations for the site.

 Blue Coast conducted a coastal processes assessment and site characterization, including geomorphic site assessment, wind climate analysis, wind-wave calculations, and extremal water levels at the Oak Harbor Marina in support of the restoration feasibility study. The feasibility study aims to develop alternatives for armor removal, stormwater treatment, and shading reduction at the marina which provide maximum potential ecological benefit and effectiveness while maintaining important recreational uses at the marina. The site characterization included a one-day site visit to document the marina shoreline using geo-referenced ground photographs, field reporting, and a real time kinematic – global positioning system (RTK-GPS) survey.