Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Scope: This ecological restoration project will control erosion, enhance habitat, and improve water quality. Water quality benefits are achieved through stormwater pollutant load reductions—eliminating 113.8 pounds of nitrogen, 103.2 pounds of phosphorus, and 207,829 pounds of sediment from entering the Chesapeake Bay each year.

Project Details

NAVFAC Washington awarded Versar a Cooperative Agreement to implement shoreline restoration activities (i.e., revetment and living shoreline) on a 1,517-linear foot segment of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis. We performed shoreline studies, designed and implemented restoration, navigated regulatory permitting requirements, and managed the work of specialized sub-contractors from project design to completion.

Possum Point is located at the northeast end of Greenbury Point (part of Northern Severn Annex), it is bordered by Mill Creek on the west and the Chesapeake Bay on the east. This restoration project stabilized the shoreline which facilitated recreational uses of the site, enhanced habitat for wildlife use, and reduced sediment inputs to Mill Creek.

Prior to implementation of this project the western shoreline along Possum Point was eroding and unstable with a patch of Phragmites australis (common reed; a non-native, invasive plant species). There was no beach and minimal protection resulting in the potential for substantial erosion, particularly during large storm events. The eastern shore of Possum Point consisted of an old, failing timber bulkhead with discrete areas of erosion along its length. The restoration project controls erosion, enhances habitat, and improves water quality through stormwater pollutant load reductions, which prevent nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from entering the Chesapeake Bay.

Stone revetment salt marsh restoration panoramic view

Panoramic view of stone revetment, salt marsh restoration.