Reef Balls are being used from coast to coast for Living Shorelines and Living Breakwaters.
Human impact on our shorelines have had serious effects. Instead of a seawall, as a replacement or in addition to your seawall, research shows that REEF BALL’s are the best choice for two Zones. You need to develop a plan for your shoreline using Reef Balls.
NOAA identifies three zones that Reef Balls should be used, the Subtidal Water Zone, Coastal Wetlands, and Beach Strand Zone. Alabama and Mississippi have each developed a publication for homeowners showing steps as they restore their waterfront to a living shoreline.
NOAA identifies three regions of your living shoreline that Reef Balls are idea.
Subtidal Water Zone
Small concrete Oyster Balls can be used at living shoreline sites to decrease wave energy while enhancing fish and oyster habitat. These hollow concrete structures provide a surface on which oysters colonize and form small living reefs, thus providing habitat and food for fish and other aquatic species. These structures also dissipate waves, decreasing coastal erosion and providing an area in which newly planted vegetation can grow.
Coastal Wetlands and Beach Strand Zone
Living breakwaters are structures placed parallel to the shore in medium- to high-energy open-water environments for the purpose of dissipating wave energy while providing habitat and erosion control. These breakwaters are constructed rock that is seeded with oyster spat. Living breakwaters create calm areas near the shoreline, which can be replanted with submerged aquatic vegetation and marsh grasses to create intertidal and marsh habitat for aquatic organisms.
Retrieved from NOAA – Living Shoreline Planning and Implementation 2015.
There is a third use of Reef Balls in the creation of living shorelines, Mangrove Restoration – Reef Balls and our related product the Mangrove Pot. This Zone is also in the Sub-tidal Water Zone. More information is available under Mangrove Restoration
2015 – Article
Reef Balls along Harlem River Park
Located in New York, the waterfront has shown tremendous improvement, in the last 5 years. Kayakers, can enjoy paddling along the Reef Balls, and the Bike Trail along the […]
Some of our Living Breakwater Materials
Retrieved from, The Nature Conservancy 2014
Living Breakwater / Living Shoreline Posts
Creating Habitat at the Turnbull Shoreline
Living Shoreline Project – Cedar Key Nature Coast Biological Station
Savanna Barry
Savanna is a Regional Specialized Extension Agent based in Cedar Key, FL at the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station. She specializes in coastal marine ecosystems, especially seagrass meadows.
Palmetto Eco-Rap Project one year later.
Tetra Tech Living Shoreline Project in Louisiana
Living Shoreline Demonstration Project, Louisiana Photo cutesy of CPRA’s St. Bernard Parish Living Shoreline Demonstration Project, funded by the Coastal Impact Assistance Program The Tetra Tech team used analytical and […]
April 26, 2018
First you place the Reef Balls, sediment accumulates then return and plant marsh grass. Article retrieved from https://www.texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com/fishing/education/conservation/oyster-lake-shoreline-protection-project-completed Oyster Lake Shoreline Protection Project Completed John Blaha June 2014—smooth cord grass being […]
Texas, coastal flooding from Harvey
There are some Reef Balls that seem to be way underwater along the texas coast. One of the sites I have been watching is Oyster Lake. The image below […]
Poster Presentation
At the Monday night poster social come hear the latest from our surveys. It will be at the American Fisheries Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL
Audubon Connecticut photos at Stratford Point
Today I was impressed seeing photos at various tidal levels of the Reef Ball Project Stratford Pt. CT Posted by Audubon Connecticut at Stratford Point […]
Are Reef Balls good for Coastal Protection?
You might want to talk to Professor Jennifer Mattei who’s project has shown great success. Or just listen to this video Read the article from Sacred Harts University at […]
Article Coexistence-for-crabs-and-humans-on-the-LI-Sound (an article)
Living Shorelines are more than just a breakwater. You want it to meet the needs of the people as well as a wide variety of organisms. Think back to why […]
