The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program, Piankatank River Reef Habitat Phase II, started earlier this month. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Norfolk District, in partnership with Virginia Marine Resources Commission, issued a contract for this project.
The project is located near the mouth of the Piankatank River in between Middlesex and Mathews counties. The project is obtaining, transporting and placing Class A-1 riprap via barge to the project site.
Reef substrate is being placed by mechanical clamshell from a barge and recorded by a “clam vision” dredge positioning system to ensure proper placement and height.
The completed reef will span across approximately 53 acres of Public Baylor Grounds, approximately 12-18 inches in height. Substrates will be placed in striations approximately 30 feet wide, spaced approximately 45 feet apart.
