The Story of Clark’s Point
After a SHORE FRIENDLY site visit, the owners of this beautiful property agreed they’d like to see their shoreline restored to a more natural state to benefit local ecosystems. In fall of 2021, contractors removed a rock breakwater, beach debris including angular rock materials, and remnants of a creosoted wood pier and piles originally created between 1950 and 1963 to develop a small boat basin off Clark’s Point peninsula. A long reach crane mounted on a barge plucked the rocks from the breakwater one by one. Most of the work had to be completed at night to accommodate the tides needed for the barge to access the site.
Removal of the breakwater and other structures reestablished minor tidal flow and circulation, uncovered subtidal and intertidal habitat areas, and allowed for enhancement of shallow water habitat for alongshore migration of juvenile salmon and other species.
Approximately 1,250 cubic yards of angular rock armor boulders were removed, uncovering approximately 6,850 square feet of intertidal habitat. Project design was funded through the Shore Friendly Program. Coastal Geologic Services provided engineering design and construction was completed by American Construction.
BEFORE AFTER
Image credit: Bob Morton