Performance of Constructed Habitat Beach

The Port of Everett constructed an 1,100-ft (335-m) long, coarse-grain beachi n 2005-2006 to provide environmental benefit, shore protection, and public access as part of a pier construction project. The former beach surface intersected a rock bulkhead at elevations far below MHHW. A new beach was constructed with crest 30 ft (9 m) wide and 1.5 ft (0.5 m) above MHHW. The eastern end transitioned at the Port property line into the pre-existing rock bulkhead and had only a low sill to control down-drift loss of placed beach material. The Port of Everett performed monitoring of the beach sediments, profile shape, and biology over a period of seven years, and is continuing the program. Physical monitoring shows that the central portion of the beach has maintained its dimensions. Volume change of the overall beach has been minimal. Surface material gradation varies with time and is generally maintaining a gradation representing the original sandy gravelly mixture. Monitoring shows the design process produced a successful constructed beach.