Appendix 2 - Eastern Bay Site
Address:
219 Road Allegheny Road (Romancoke)
Stevensville, MD, 21666
General Location Description: The site is located on Eastern Bay on the south east side
of Kent Island in the community of Romancoke (see M1, M2 for vicinity and project site
locations). The community consists of residential homes, a community area and pier.
The project site location has a residence and associated structures in the riparian zone. As
depicted in Exhibits 1, and 1a the riparian landuse upstream is residential and the
downstream is considered as scrub-shrub.
Erosion Potential: As reflected in Exhibit 5 (Historical Shorelines) the project site and
adjacent properties have historically experienced erosion. Exposure of the site to
moderate / high wave energy is supported by fetch lengths of over 7 miles to east and
north east and close to 4 miles to the south east (see Exhibit 6). Although exposures are
not in the direction of prevailing winter winds, they are susceptible to nor’easters,
hurricanes and tropical storms. A second susceptibility factor at this site is the low
profile and soil type of the adjacent bluff and bank (see Exhibit 2, 2a). This provides for
the greater landward influence of storm waves and damage to adjacent shoreline
structures. Additionally, the soil consists of a erodable peat (see Exhibit 7, 7a).
Description of Erosion Control Project: On August 24, 2009 an on-site survey (see
Appendix 1) was conducted to supplement and validate archival information sources (see
Appendix 2). A Beach Prism breakwater was constructed and completed in January of
1989. The breakwater spans a total distance of 150 feet from head land to head land,
consisting of 11 Beach Prisms spaced approximately 5 feet apart. The Beach Prisms are
arranged in three segments. Two of three segments as depicted on Map 2 angle from the
shoreline to a third segment which parallels the shoreline a distance of 50 feet
channelward of the MHW line. Pictures 1 through 6 depict the structure from north to
east to south.
Over the last 20 years the beach prisms have maintained both alignment and elevation.
The latter as reflected in the top 1.5 feet being exposed above MHW as based on rectified
field measurements taken at the time on the on-site survey. A soil profile taken at the
base of the Beach Prism was homogenous to depth of 12 inches and consisted of a sandy
clay as based upon sand, silt, clay partitioning.
Assessment: Performance of the Beach Prisms is based on the bank and buffer
conditions behind the structure and adjacent properties both upstream and downstream of
the structure. The shoreline conditions as reflected on Exhibits 2 and 2a indicate a
stabilized bank and buffer that is totally vegetated along the entire reach inclusive of both
upstream and downstream sites. In addition, the project site exhibits a fringing wetland
consisting of Phragmites in the lee of the beach prisms. Picture 7 is taken at the northern
boundary of the property and depicts the transition from a sandy beach receding back to a
low vegetated bank on the property to the north versus the stabilized and vegetated beach
of the project site. Pictures 8 and 9 were taken at this boundary looking north and south,
respectively. The latter picture reflects the frontage of the project site. As based upon
these observations and archival information, the Beach Prisms as used in the context of
this site have demonstrated an ability to provide an effective barrier against erosion and
environment for wetland creation.
APPENDIX 1
Onsite Survey
1) Date and Conditions The site was surveyed on August 24, 2009 at approximately
10:00am There was a one foot chop. Winds were out the SE at 5 to 10 knots. Skies
were mostly sunny. High tide occurred at 8:35am.
2) Project Description The Beach Prisms are used in three segments each spanning a
distance of 50 feet for a total length of 150 feet (see Map 2). Two of three segments
as depicted angle from the shoreline to a third which parallels the shoreline a distance
of 50 feet channelward of the MHW line. The top 1.5 feet of the structure was
exposed on the segment running parallel to the shoreline. There were a total of 11
beach prisms. Pictures 1 through 6 depict the structure from north to east to south.
3) Site Description
a) Residence and associated structures (i.e. pool) are adjacent to the near shore zone.
b) Vegetated bank in the near shore area ranged in height between 0 to 4. Picture 7
was taken at the northern boundary of the property. Pictures 8 and 9 depict
shoreline conditions to property north of project site and project site frontage,
respectively.
c) There was no evidence of submerged aquatic vegetation.
d) Depths ranged from 2.5 feet at the Beach Prisms running parallel to shoreline to
2.9 ft at a distance of 120 ft channelward of shoreline.
e) A soil profile taken at the base of the Beach Prism was homogenous to depth of
12 inches and consisted of a sandy clay.
APPENDIX 2
Archival Information
1) Riparian Land Use
a) At Site: Residential
b) Upstream: Residential
c) Downstream: Scrub-Shrub
2) Bank and Buffer Conditions
Exhibits
1, 1a
2, 2a
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
a) At Site:
i) 0-5 ft bank / low erosion, total bank coverage
ii) beach / low erosion
b) Upstream (north):
i) 0-5 ft bank / low erosion, total bank coverage
ii) beach / low erosion
c) Downstream (south):
i) 0-5 ft bank / low erosion, total bank coverage
ii) marsh / low erosion
iii) Phragmites australis
Shoreline Features
a) At Site: Pier / Breakwater
b) Upstream: NA
c) Downstream: NA
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
a) At Site: 0%
b) Upstream: 0%
c) Downstream: 0%
Historical Shorelines
a) At Site: erosion
b) Upstream: erosion
c) Downstream: erosion
Bathymetry / Fetch
Soils
3, 3a
4
5
6
7, 7a