Coastal Wetland Restoration - Geotextile Tubes

Off Galveston Island State Park

3,500 feet of geotextile tubes in open water offshore from the Park to protect two lagoons totaling 740 acres and simulate the oyster reefs that historically protected the Park’s marshes from heavy surf. To restore emergent wetlands long, narrow terraces were constructed in a section of shallow open water between the geotubes and the shore -- in the region where original marshes had been lost. Terraces were constructed in 100 foot, 200 foot and 400 foot square patterns. These terraces were planted with smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) contributed by Reliant Energy’s Natural Resource Center.