Shoreline Management
Shoreline erosion is one of the most significant threats to our State’s coastal zone. Accelerated sea level rise and increased storm frequency and/or intensity as a result of climate change will only further the risk for coastal communities, public infrastructure and vital habitats.
Maryland’s coastal wetlands and barrier and bay islands play a vital role in protecting the State’s shoreline and coastal communities by absorbing the damaging impact of coastal floods, heavy winds, and strong waves. CCP continues to play a vital role in addressing coastal erosion, specifically with the promotion of “living shorelines” techniques.
Shoreline Erosion: What are my options?
Shoreline Erosion: What are my options? is a poster series, broken down by county, that highlights some of the issues to consider when selecting a shoreline management project. Selecting the appropriate shoreline management option is critical not only to controlling erosion but also to restoring and maintaining near-shore habitat, like beaches and wetlands. The key to selecting a suitable option is to understand the characteristics and history of the particular stretch of shoreline. Important shoreline characteristics to consider are:
- How has the shoreline changed over time and how fast has it changed?
- How deep is the adjacent water?
- How long is the fetch the distance that wind blows over water before reaching land?
Select a county and click to view the poster.
| Anne Arundel | Kent |
| Baltimore | Prince George’s |
| Calvert | Queen Anne’s |
| Caroline | St. Mary’s |
| Charles | Somerset |
| Cecil | Talbot |
| Dorchester | Wicomico |
| Harford | Worcester |
State of Maryland Shore Erosion Task Force: Final Report, 2000
Living Shorelines
Many types of erosion control measures have been implemented along the shoreline of the Bay. Promoting shoreline management approaches that minimize loss of natural shoreline, shallow water habitats, and public shoreline access while also protecting property from erosion is challenging. We encourage you to explore the resources compiled on living shorelines, erosion control techniques that minimize coastal erosion while maintaining coastal processes.
Coastal Atlas: Shorelines Mapping Tool
Allows users to access state shoreline erosion data, visualize coastal inundation from storms and identify areas at risk to sea level rise.
Coastal Habitats and Sea Level Rise
change the text in box to read: Maryland is identifying long-term planning options to increase resiliency of coastal communities against coastal storm surge, flooding, and erosion which includes the targeted protection of coastal wetlands in order to maintain their natural buffering capacity.
In Focus
Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion in Maryland: A Management Guide
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Baltimore District, to study erosion on the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay main stem and tidal tributaries in Maryland. To support shoreline management in the Bay, the document “Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion in Maryland: A Management Guide,” has been produced to address three needs:
- Identify areas around the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland where ecological, socioeconomic, or cultural resources may be vulnerable to effects from shoreline erosion over 50 years.
- Provide information on using stand-alone and online Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to screen and evaluate potential impacts from shoreline erosion.
- Present background data and studies that may be used to support shoreline erosion project formulation.
Contact Information
Chesapeake & Coastal Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building E-2
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone 410-260-8732
Fax 410-260-8739