Coastal engineering services
Our licensed coastal engineers provide technical expertise and advisory services to promote the resilience and sustainability of Washington’s shorelines. We collaborate with local governments, communities, Tribes, and other partners to support the development of innovative, science-based solutions for managing coastal challenges.
Key activities include:
- Providing technical support to develop effective coastal management and engineering strategies.
- Collecting and analyzing coastal monitoring data to inform management decisions, engineering designs, and adaptive management approaches.
- Participating in the multi-agency Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team to support statewide coastal resilience efforts.
- Conducting research and monitoring on nature-based solutions to inform engineering design and guidance.
- Researching alternatives to hard armor in Puget Sound and supporting the shoreline armoring implementation strategy.
- Generating actionable data and conducting research to guide beach restoration efforts across Puget Sound.
Through these efforts, our team bridges research and practice to advance innovative, sustainable solutions for managing Washington’s coastlines.
The rendering above highlights two different approaches to shoreline protection. On the left, a near vertical rip rap revetment reflects wave energy, which can scour away beach sediment. On the right, a nature-based approach enhances nearshore habitat while improving public access. Ecology’s coastal engineers study nature-based solutions to help inform strategies that can protect Washington’s shorelines while providing benefits such as improving ecological function or providing recreational opportunities.