Northwest March’s Point Beach Nourishment

The beach at Northwest March’s Point had large volumes of sediment removed following an oil spill years ago. This, coupled with the loss of sediment transport due to the adjacent boat ramp to the north, has left the beach void of sand and gravel, and dominated by large cobble and angular rock. The angular rock that had fallen onto the beach was restacked into the revetment and 2,230 tons of beach nourishment material suitable for surf smelt spawning habitat was added to the beach and graded to meet the natural profile. The project began on October 1, 2014, and was completed on October 6.

This project was funded through the Skagit Restoration Initiative (SRI), administered in a partnership between the Skagit Marine Resources Committee and the Northwest Straits Foundation. SRI funds are designated for projects that restore the shoreline, nearshore, and marine resources of Fidalgo Bay or Padilla Bay. This project also received funding from the Department of Ecology Coastal Protection Fund and the Alcoa Foundation.

Shortly after the beach nourishment, surf smelt eggs were found on the beach during surveys led by Salish Sea Steward citizen scientists.

Click here for a project fact sheet.

Skills

Posted on

March 23, 2016