Innovative Wetland Adaptation Techniques Project
Innovative Wetland Adaptation Techniques in Lower Corte Madera Creek Watershed Project
The Innovative Wetland Adaptation Techniques in Lower Corte Madera Creek Watershed project is a pioneering effort led by BCDC that examines the resilience of San Francisco Bay tidal marshes and intertidal mudflats to accelerating sea level rise, and considers how the wave attenuation and other ecosystem benefits they provide can be preserved. This collaborative project was conceived in recognition of the significant gap in understanding of the role baylands play as the first line of defense against coastal flooding, and how that role may change in the future. The project was supported with funding from the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) through a Resilient Watersheds for a Changing Climate grant of the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and by the generous contributions of research partners including the U.S. Geological Survey, UNESCO-IHE, University of San Francisco, and Marin County.
Photo Courtesy of John Callaway
Project Overview (4-page summary)
Project Presentation
Corte Madera Baylands Conceptual Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy Report
Presents the project approach and methods, and summarizes scientific studies conducted by the project research team and others. Specifically, the project measured and modeled wave attenuation and considered how this benefit was sensitive to sea level rise. The project also investigated the geomorphic context of the study site to inform development of a conceptual sea level rise adaptation strategy to improve resilience of the Corte Madera Baylands, thereby preserving flood risk reduction benefits.
- Corte Madera Baylands Conceptual Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy Report High resolution PDF (for printing) [ 23.2 MB ]
- Corte Madera Baylands Conceptual Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy Report Low resolution PDF (for screen viewing) [6.8 MB ]
Scientific studies conducted by the project research team
- Digital Elevation Model (Foxgrover et al. 2011) [3.4 MB ]
- Marsh Sediment Accumulation Rates (Callaway et al. 2012) [ 659 KB ]
- Offshore Sediment Erosion Rates (Jones 2011) [5.5 MB ]
- Wave attenuation measurements (Lacy and Hoover 2011) [1.9 MB ]
- Wave attenuation Modeling SWAN-Delft3d (van der Wegen and Jaffe 2012) [ 2.8 MB ]
- Wave attenuation modeling WHAFIS (PWA ESA 2012) [ 1.1 MB ]
For more information about this project please contact
Wendy Goodfriend
Senior Coastal Planner
wendyg@bcdc.ca.gov
(415) 352-3646