4 Apr 2025

Living Shoreline in USACE Projects: A Review

Abstract: The term living shoreline (LS) refers to the practice of shoreline stabilization using natural elements (e.g., vegetation, oysters, logs, etc.) in a way that maintains continuity and connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. This report provides a review of LS practices to assess the applicability of these engineering techniques for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. Specifically, this review examines the current state of knowledge regarding LS efforts through evaluation of peer-reviewed literature, agency reports, web tools, applications, and relevant guidance. It is important to gain a deeper understanding of the potential ecological, engineering, environmental, and socioeconomic benefits in comparison with traditional gray infrastructure shoreline stabilization techniques. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) encourages the use of LS as a shoreline stabilization technique along sheltered coasts (i.e., coasts not exposed to open ocean wave energy) to preserve and improve habitats and maintain their ecosystem services at the land–water interface. Research has examined aspects of LSs, but there are relevant knowledge gaps yet to be explored. Overall, there is a lot of information from different sources on LSs with limited application to USACE projects. Therefore, a consolidated planning and design consideration report specific to USACE is recommended.

3 Apr 2025

Ohio Creek Urban Coastal Storm Risk Management Project: An Application of Engineering With Nature® Principles in Practice

Purpose: The Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) program within the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) funds research projects occurring in a myriad of environments, including in marine coasts, freshwater coasts, and fluvial (riverine) systems. Yet there have been fewer projects documented where EWN principles have been applied in urban landscapes, particularly to manage flood risk, a main civil works mission of the USACE. Natural hazards including increased flashiness associated with intense rainfall events have prompted the need for more sustainable infrastructure solutions that reduce flood risks in urban areas, especially when such solutions desired by stakeholders are nature-based solutions. This technical note documents a flood risk management project in Norfolk, Virginia, that incorporates EWN principles in a tidal estuary environment that not only reduces flood risk, but also provides numerous other environmental, social, and economic benefits.

21 Mar 2025

Engineering With Nature: Integrating Plant Communities into Engineering Practices. A Guidance Manual

Abstract: Applying native plant communities in environmental engineering practices can profoundly enhance the establishment and sustainment of natural ecosystems, which is imperative for the success of healthy habitats and the wildlife communities they support. The objective of this manual is to stimulate interest in applying native plants in a wide variety of settings, including inland, upland, coastal, riparian, and grassland. The information presented in this manual illustrates natural plant communities and sustainable strategies using native vegetation. This manual discusses the application of vegetation in US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. Additional case studies incorporate Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) principles into the design and development of existing infrastructural facilities within a military installation. Specifically, the manual identifies desirable plant species suitable for propagation in various states based on historic plant communities and ecological composition and lists invasive species to avoid with suggested native alternatives. Further, it discusses the use of native vegetation in biotechnical applications. Intended users are USACE districts, local, state, and federal agencies, contractors (specialists), and other users (generalists) engaged in EWN projects. Finally, the publication helps practitioners think creatively about using native plant species before, during, and after project design phases.

12 Mar 2025

Collaborative Development of Natural and Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resiliency in the Arctic and Adjacent Regions: A Workshop

The workshop “Collaborative Development of Natural and Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resiliency in the Arctic and Adjacent Regions” was held in Reston, Virginia, October 24–25, 2023. The objective was to assemble diverse international partners in a hybrid in-person and virtual setting to focus on the viability of applying Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to solve engineering challenges in the Arctic and similar cold region locations. The goals of the two-day workshop were to share recent efforts implementing NBS to mitigate coastal hazards such as flooding and erosion in northern high latitude settings and identify requirements and develop a robust program of activities to advance this work at national, regional, and local levels. This workshop report documents the presentations and discussion and summarizes key needs and recommendations for future engagement identified by speakers and workshop participants.

21 Jan 2025

Engineering With Nature: Natural Infrastructure for Mission Readiness at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Installations

Abstract: This book illustrates some of the current challenges and hazards experienced by military installations, and the content highlights activities at eight U.S. Navy and Marine Corps military installations to achieve increased resilience through natural infrastructure.

30 Sep 2024

A Review of Habitat Modeling Methods That Can Advance Our Ability to Estimate the Ecological Cobenefits of Dredge Material Placement

Abstract: Beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) has been a placement strategy within the USACE for over 35 years, with applications that aim to reduce navigation costs, increase flood protection, and generate ecological benefits. However, the tools and approaches used for estimating ecological benefits are often limited in comparison with those available to evaluate costs and more traditional economic benefits when moving and placing dredged material. There are statistical and mechanistic models that can aid in quantifying habitat benefits within the context of BUDM projects, but there is currently no USACE-approved process that facilitates the integration of these modeling approaches. The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive review of existing habitat-centric statistical and mechanistic models that may aide the USACE in identifying models most appropriate for quantifying potential ecological benefits and trade-offs at placement sites.

27 Sep 2024

Potential Engineering With Nature Features to be Incorporated at Woodtick Peninsula

Purpose: Woodtick Peninsula is a barrier peninsula in western Lake Erie where restoration activities are being planned to combat erosion of the peninsula wetlands through placement of dredged material. As part of the restoration effort, design of an artificial reef is currently underway to function as a breakwater, preventing erosion of the fine-grained material being hydraulically placed along the west side of the peninsula. To the extent possible, it is desirable to design the reef such that it would not only provide erosion protection, but also incorporate features that would provide habitat, and thereby support the goals of Engineering With Nature® (EWN®). EWN is a concept focused on aligning natural and engineering processes to deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits efficiently and sustainably through collaboration. A range of breakwater and shoreline armoring alternatives have been utilized in coastal environments to enhance habitat. While a number of alternatives have been successfully demonstrated in marine waters, fewer structures have been adapted to freshwater systems of the Great Lakes. However, there have been several demonstrations within the Great Lakes in which breakwater structures have been enhanced to incorporate habitat features. In this report, potential designs for breakwaters and shoreline edging in freshwater systems that can incorporate EWN benefits are summarized.

21 May 2024

Engineering With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 3

Abstract: Engineering With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 3 showcases EWN principles and practices “in action” through 58 projects from around the world. These exemplary projects demonstrate what it means to partner with nature to deliver engineering solutions with triple-win benefits. The collection of projects included were developed and constructed by a large number of government, private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and other organizations. Through the use of photographs and narrative descriptions, the EWN Atlas was developed to inspire interested readers and practitioners with the potential to engineer with nature.

16 Apr 2024

Financing Natural Infrastructure: The Elizabeth River Project, Chesapeake Bay, VA

Purpose: Knowledge gaps surrounding natural infrastructure (NI) life cycles and performance thwart widespread implementation of NI in civil works projects. In particular, information about funding or financing the scoping, design, construction, monitoring, and adaptive management of NI projects constitutes a key need as there is no standard process for securing funds. This technical note is part of a series documenting successful examples of funding NI projects and sharing lessons learned about a variety of funding and financing methods to increase the implementation of NI projects. The research effort is a collaboration between the Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) and Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering (SAGE) programs of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This technical note explores how the Elizabeth River Project (ERP), a nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, developed a homeowner cost-sharing program to fund NI projects—living shorelines, rain gardens, and riparian buffers—within an urban watershed.

9 Apr 2024

Embracing Biodiversity on Engineered Coastal Infrastructure through Structured Decision-Making and Engineering With Nature

Abstract: Extreme weather variation, natural disasters, and anthropogenic actions negatively impact coastal communities through flooding and erosion. To safeguard coastal settlements, shorelines are frequently reinforced with seawalls and bulkheads. Hardened shorelines, however, result in biodiversity loss and environmental deterioration. The creation of sustainable solutions that engineer with nature is required to lessen natural and anthropogenic pressures. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are a means to enhance biodiversity and improve the environment while meeting engineering goals. To address this urgent need, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® (EWN) program balances economic, environmental, and social benefits through collaboration. This report presents how design and engineering practice can be enhanced through organized decision-making and landscape architectural renderings that integrate engineering, science, and NbS to increase biodiversity in coastal marine habitats. When developing new infrastructure or updating or repairing existing infrastructure, such integration can be greatly beneficial. Further, drawings and renderings exhibiting EWN concepts can assist in decision-making by aiding in the communication of NbS designs. Our practical experiences with the application of EWN have shown that involving landscape architects can play a critical role in effective collaboration and result in solutions that safeguard coastal communities while maintaining or enhancing biodiversity.