Sloping of long stretches of shorelines with a bulldozer does not 
appear to be feasible. Draglines or other equipment may be more 
practical. Sloping of the shoreline in Block V took approximately 14 
hours and the total cost for 200 feet was $350. This did not include 
transportation costs. Techniques for rapid establishment of vegetation 
or for shoreline protection until vegetation is established must be 
perfected before sloping can be justified. 
Cost of wave-stilling devices could be variable. A 140-foot wave- 
stilling device was constructed for only the cost of labor, fencing, 
wire, and hog rings. If costs of hay bales, steel posts, and cable 
were added, the cost would be considerably higher. Approximately 15 
man-hours were required for actual construction. Time to load, trans- 
port, and unload hay bales at the site was not included. A 150-foot 
roll of 3-foot and a roll of 4-foot chicken wire was required. Thirty 
metal posts 5 feet tall or more plus additional shorter stakes were 
used. A total of 105 bales of hay were used in construction. 
VIII. SUMMARY 
This study, started fall 1973, was conducted along the north shore- 
line of East Bay on the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers 
County, Texas. 
Water salinity fluctuated throughout the year. Two peaks of high 
salinity occurred, the first, of relatively low magnitude, was from mid 
February to May 1974 and the second, of higher magnitude, was from June 
to November. In general, water salinity was related to monthly pre- 
cipitation and distance of collection point from a source of freshwater. 
Soil physical and chemical characteristics were determined. The 
soil was generally classified as loam or clay loam texture, and was 
considered structurally unstable and susceptible to erosion. Soil 
salinity ranged from about 2,500 to over 11,000 ppm in February 1974. 
In May the salinity values were higher in all blocks than in February. 
Soil salinity in February and May 1974 was consistently higher than 
water salinity. Soil pH was consistent and near neutral in all samples. 
Extractable cations (Ca, K, Mg, Na) fluctuated in concentration by date, 
depth and zone. Sodium was the most abundant cation, followed in 
decreasing order by Mg, Ca, and K. In general, all cations occurred 
in larger quantities in May than in February. 
Twelve plant species were selected to evaluate for use in shore- 
line stabilization. Giant reed is adapted for use in the upper zone, 
above normal high tide. Black mangrove established in both the middle 
and lower zones and apparently has value in these zones. Saltgrass 
may be adapted for use in the middle zone if wave action is reduced at 
the time of planting. Common reed may have limited value in the middle 
zone. American bulrush does not appear to be adapted for use in shore- 
line stabilization. Olney bulrush could be of value in the middle zone 
with a reduction in wave action during establishment. Saltmarsh bulrush 
64 
