HDR’s Dollar Bay Marsh Restoration Project won the 2024 Best Restored Shores Award from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. The Best Restored Shores programme annually honours projects that enhance shoreline resiliency by addressing environmental degradation, storm impacts, climate change and sea level rise in the United States’ coastal, estuarine and Great Lakes communities.
HDR’s work on the Dollar Bay Marsh Restoration included an investigation of natural resources, general bottom conditions, oil and gas infrastructure, met ocean conditions and bathymetry. This data-informed conceptual designs for marsh restoration alternatives, including intertidal marsh options and shoreline protection features. The final design of the project included marsh terraces utilising existing site material, a series of graded riprap breakwaters for shoreline protection and the incorporation of an existing oyster reef to serve as a wave baffle.
The construction of the marsh features and breakwaters began in late 2020 and was completed in May 2021. Since project completion, the vegetation has firmly taken hold with nearly 100% coverage of the fringe area, bringing back critical habitat to the area. The project’s first phase led to the acquisition and conservation of over 100 acres of coastal lands adjacent to the project site, and the subsequent Phase 2 breakwater project to protect this asset.
“The Galveston Bay Foundation has been at the forefront of protecting and restoring critical habitat in the region,” said Cameron Perry, Coastal Technical Director at HDR. “I’ve been privileged to work with them on this project and others that improve the health of the bay ecosystem.”
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