Site selection and construction methods for marsh creation

Date

1997

Authors

Brzezinski LA
Roman R
Silva S
Gorini RF

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

ASCE, New York, NY, USA

Abstract

The proposed Houston Ship Channel (HSC) Modernization Project and the Recommended Beneficial Use Disposal Plan (the BUG Plan) for the bay reach of the HSC will require the removal and disposal of 70,336,000 m3 (92,000,000 yd3) of dredged material over the 50-year life of the project. Approximately 1,720 hectares (4,250 acres) of marsh habitat will be created from the dredged material throughout the project life. Since a project of this magnitude had never been accomplished in the past, the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Beneficial Uses Group (BUG) recommended that a large-scale demonstration project be constructed using materials, equipment and techniques envisioned for the BUG plan. Developing design parameters for the Demonstration Marsh required intensive studies to determine location and morphology of the completed site. Site selection also considered the location of oysters to minimize or avoid impacts to existing valuable habitats. Geotechnical investigations were utilized to determine the source of suitable dredged material for the proposed levee construction and predict settlement of the maintenance material proposed for use as fill and to determine the optimum levee alignment for project construction. Material proposed for site construction was tested using chemical analysis, suspended particulate phase and solid phase bioassays, and bioaccumulation studies

Description

570-575

Keywords

Bioassay, Chemical analysis, Construction, Ecosystems, Engineering geology, Engineers, Geomorphology, Levees, Maintenance, Management, Modernization, Planning, Removal, Site selection, Water, Water resources

Citation