Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines Project:

The Demonstration Site Network

Emilie Hauser, NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Christina Tobitsch and Brian Cooke, Student Conservation Association & Hudson River NERR
Funded by CICEET and NERRS Science Collaborative
Shoreline engineers and other shoreline stakeholders want proof that innovative, ecologically beneficial shoreline techniques are as effective as traditional shoreline
protection methods. The Demonstration Site Network selects examples and disseminates this information. Case studies, posted online at hrnerr.org, provide a
virtual tour of constructed site over the 150-mile length of the Hudson Estuary. This network of sites demonstrates ecologically enhanced shoreline techniques in a
variety of settings. Sites are publicly accessible. Featured sites survived storms Irene, Lee, Sandy.
Coxsackie Boat Launch
Coxsackie, NY
Design: three rock tiers with native vegetation
on a shallow slope and a sill of large stone
Objectives:
Improve eroding dredge spoil shoreline
Protect the nearby parking lot
Demonstrate that restored natural shoreline
can provide erosion protection and improve
habitat and human access
Partners: NYS Parks & Sustainable Shorelines
Assessment Form Basic Principles:
Preserve existing natural shorelines
Mimic nature and recognize one size does not fill all
Enhance engineered shorelines ecologically
Protect and restore wildlife habitat
Protect and restore water resources
Give the shore room to move
Improve and retain public access
Esopus Meadows, Esopus, NY
Design: Coir rolls, live stakes and stone.
Remove degraded building, shoreline armoring and
impervious surfaces
Make erosion resistant, publicly accessible
waterfront park and paddler respite
Use natural features to improve habitat and human
recreation
Minimize structural maintenance (survived storms
Irene, Lee and Sandy)
Designer: Sven Hoeger of Creative Habitat Corp.
Owner: Scenic Hudson
Harlem River Park, New York, NY
Design: Porous seawalls composed of stacked greenwalls and flexible gabions, salt marsh plantings,
and tidepools.
A 20-acre park between Harlem River Parkway and the Harlem River with a mix of traditional and
innovative shorelines;
More functional, absorbent floodplain;
Improved public access, nearshore and upland habitat;
Incorporated various community organizations throughout the process;
Owned and constructed by: NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation and NYC Economic Development Corp.
After: Looking west
Before: Looking east
Before: Looking south
After: Looking north
Feature
Weighted
Importance
Esopus
Meadows
Coxsackie Boat
Launch
Harlem River
Park
#1 Natural shoreline preservation 2 0 0 0
#2 Natural features included 3 3 3 3
#3 Hard shoreline re-engineered 1 1 0 1
#4 Substrate materials 3 3 3 3
#5 Re-vegetation 3 3 3 3
#6 Energy impacts 2 2 2 2
#7 Sea level rise 3 0 3 3
#8 Green stormwater management 1 1 0 1
#9 Wrack 2 2 2 2
#10 Maintenance or adaptive mangement 2 2 2 2
#11 Designed for human use 2 2 2 2
TOTAL POTENTIAL POINTS 24 19 20 22
PERCENT 100 79 83 92
Before:
October 2003
After:
June 2006
After: Spring 2012
Next Steps:
1. Develop guidance
for use in design
phase
2. Monitor natural &
built environment
Wrack-line left behind by Sandy.
Approximately 7 feet above
Mean High Tide After: Looking west, August 2013
Assessment Process:
Designer completes assessment
Team scores assessment
Writer prepares detailed case study
Sign & website acknowledges accomplishments