Figure 1. Oldest recorded salt marsh planting (planted in 1928) , 

 Cherry Stone Inlet, Virginia. 



configuration, the shape of the shoreline, is a subjective measure of the 

 shoreline 's vulnerability to wave attack. For example, a cove is relatively 

 sheltered while a headland is vulnerable to wave attack from many directions. 

 The grain size of beach sands is also related to wave energy. Fine-grained 

 sands frequently indicate low energy beaches while coarser materials indicate 

 higher energy beaches. Two additional factors should be considered when 

 evaluating wave climate — boat traffic and offshore depth. Shore areas in 

 close proximity to boat traffic will be subject to ship-generated waves. 

 Shallow offshore depths impede the development and growth of larger waves. 

 However, no method is available for numerically evaluating boat traffic and 

 offshore depth. 



b. Method for Evaluating Wave Climate . Knutson, et al. (1981) developed 

 a method for evaluating wave climate based on observed relationships between 

 fetch, shore configuration, grain size, and success in controlling erosion in 

 86 salt marsh plantings in 12 coastal states. The method evaluates planting 

 potential on a case-by-case basis, using a vegetative stabilization site 

 evaluation form (Fig. 2). Each of the four Shore Charaateristies on the form 

 is measured for the area in question, the Desariptive Categories best 

 describing the area are identified, and the Weighted Score associated with 

 each descriptive category is noted. A Cumulative Score is calculated, and the 

 success rate associated with the appropriate range of cumulative scores is 

 noted under Score Interpretation. Sites with a cumulative score of 300 or 

 greater (observed success rate of 80 to 100 percent) are very promising 

 planting environments. However, even sites with a cumulative score of 201 to 

 300 (observed success rate of 30 to 80 percent) will often constitute an 

 acceptable risk considering the higher costs associated with structural shore 

 protection alternatives (see Sec. VII). 



