GIWW McFaddin Beach-Shoreline Protection

Project Description

Wave erosion along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) has caused saltwater intrusion and disruption of habitat processes in marshes adjacent to the waterway, and continued to threaten the viability, productivity, and quality of nearly 45,000 acres of marshlands on the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (McFaddin NWR). To address this problem, 45,000 acres of wetlands are being protected by stabilizing and reconstructing over one mile of shoreline along a reach of the GIWW at the McFaddin NWR in Jefferson County. Project construction consisted of rock revetments, rock breakwaters, berms and vegetative plantings to keep the wetlands from salt water intrusion from the GIWW. This project is the first of its kind in Texas and will provide a model for other GIWW shoreline erosion response projects.