The Use of Alternative Substrates and

Designs for Oyster Restoration

Joe Rieger, Deputy Director – Restoration

Dave Koubsky, Environmental Project Manager (Elizabeth River Project)

What Are Our Reefs Made Out Of???Oyster Shell from shucking Crushed concrete

Whelk Shell #1 Stone Granite

Oyster Shell from shucking Crushed concrete

#1 Stone Granite

Oyster Shell from shucking Crushed concrete

Whelk Shell #1 Stone Granite

Oyster Shell from shucking Crushed concrete

Costs For Materials

Oyster Shell from shucking = $3.30/ VA bushel = $51/cy #1 Stone Granite = $50/cy Whelk Shell = $2.50/VA bushel = $38.75 Crushed concrete = $20/cy

Evaluate Alternative SubstratesEvaluate Alternative Substrates

Material Comparison SummaryMaterial Comparison Summary

Data Collected and Provided by Laurie Sorabella (Oyster Reef Keepers and Lynnhaven River Now

Cross-section of Typical Reef

Reef Restoration Lafayette River

Reefs on the Lafayette RiverLafayette Winona VA Zoo

Knitting Mill Creek Hampton Blvd

Proposed Location for Last 6 Acres of Proposed Location for Last 6 Acres of Reef Restoration 2018Reef Restoration 2018

1.7 acres

4.2 acres

Chesterfield Heights Oyster Reef

Oyster Structures and Coastal Resilience

Construction

Oyster Castle Design

Three Designs

Straight Face

Diamond Face

Zig Zag

Straight Face

Diamond Face

Straight Face

Zig Zag

Diamond Face

Straight Face

Zig ZagDiamond Face Straight Face

Install Completed By Volunteers

HRSD Castles and Oyster Bergs

Oyster Castle Restoration Completed in 2016 for Shore Protection

Norfolk ZooNorfolk, VA

Virginia Zoo wetland and oyster

Questions? What other types of

alternative substrate should we be considering?

What types of other shell sources or types should we be looking into?

Are there better designs for reefs which make them higher quality habitats and also more cost effective?

What other types of oyster structures are out there and how can they be used in reef design?