Quote:
Originally Posted by MathGeek
Actually, some rock walls along the ship channel would probably be effective in reducing saltwater intrusion into the marsh also, especially if they were a nearly unbroken line with just a couple of cuts to allow boat traffic to pass (like the jetties). If this can be pitched as the primary motivating factor (along with erosion control) it might even be possible for some of the BP money to be redirected to the project.
It makes more sense from a cost and long term maintenance viewpoint than attempting a saltwater barrier across the channel at the jetties. The basic idea is to maintain more of a gradient with saltier water being kept in the channel, and lower salinities in the lake. If salinities in the lake were lower, then the weirs could be open more days each year to allow bait and fish to flow back and forth between the lake and the marsh. Looks like many parties could win in this arrangement, protecting the marsh from saltwater intrusion, protecting the banks from erosion, and maintaining and improving the inshore fishery.
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I'm shocked that any rock is going in anywhere. Last I heard, National Marine Fisheries was shutting down every attempt to rock coastline or anything. Said it destroys fish habitat.
All good points though. All of this would make a lot of sense, and would definitely solve a lot of problems. Would probably satisfy a lot of people. The big issue behind the weirs is salinity and holding it down. Reduce that, like you said, and e'ry body happy, happy, happy!!