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Innovative Wetland Adaptation Strategies Study

The Innovative Wetland Adaptation Techniques in Lower Corte Madera Creek Watershed project is one of the first efforts along the San Francisco Bay shoreline examining how to reduce the vulnerability of tidal wetlands to sea level rise.

The Commission obtained $600,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as 7 part of a San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) grant, in order to better understand (1) the flood control and wave attenuation benefits of tidal wetlands, (2) the vulnerability of tidal wetlands to sea level rise, and (3) potential strategies that will improve the resiliency of tidal wetlands to sea level rise so that the flood control and wave attenuation benefits are maintained.

The study is being performed along the Corte Madera shoreline in Marin County by researchers from the USGS, University of San Francisco and private consultants, in partnership with the Marin County Flood Control District.

During the winter of 2010 the USGS collected high-resolution topographical and bathymetric data for the Corte Madera shoreline, and deployed instrumentation to measure the attenuation of wave energy across the tidal wetlands. In fall 2010 researchers initiated data gathering on the erodibility of sediments in the tidal mudflat and began evaluating short- and long-term vertical accretion of the tidal marsh. Additionally, a study was initiated to determine the local history and source of sediments in the marsh. Research results will help determine both the existing wave attenuation and flood protection benefits of the tidal wetland and the future of those benefits in light of sea level rise. Based on wave climate, geomorphology and sedimentation data, a conceptual adaptation strategy that includes a number of proposed management measures will be developed. Information regarding the existing and future wave attenuation and flood control benefits of the tidal wetland system will be provided to resource managers and local decision makers for use in their planning for sea level rise.

Contact

Wendy Goodfriend
Senior Coastal Planner
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
50 California Street, Suite 2600
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 352-3646
wendyg@bcdc.ca.go