Werowocomoco's Living Shoreline

What is a living shoreline?

A living shoreline is an erosion prevention strategy that relies on native wetland plants. The plants act as a "buffer" against the movement of water. To create a living shoreline, an artificial marsh is planted along the vulnerable coastline. Grasses anchor the soil in place and, in some cases, stones provide a hard barrier to break the incoming waves. Living shorelines mimic the natural wetland conditions that were once ubiquitous along the Chesapeake Bay's waterways.

The living shoreline at Werowocomoco

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail manages Werowocomoco, a significant American Indian site on the shores of the York River in Gloucester County, Virginia. Rich in archeological resources, the location of Werowocomoco has only recently been reconfirmed. In the four centuries since Werowocomoco’s occupation by Virginia Indians at the beginning of the 1600s, several feet of shoreline have been lost due to sea level rise and erosion. Since much of the town’s activity occurred on the river’s banks, unknown archeological resources were likely lost as a result.

The National Park Service now manages the site and is working to understand and manage shoreline erosion. In addition to regular monitoring of the beaches and coastline, a living shoreline constructed by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science works to prevent more soil from washing away.

 

Growth of a Living Shoreline

Left image
BEFORE
Credit: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Right image
AFTER
Credit: Virginia Institute of Marine Science

This before and after shows the growth of grasses within the living shoreline project at Werowocomoco. Today, the rocks and grasses are home to snails, oysters, and other animals who depend on environments like this for their survival.