The Upper Mobile Bay Wetland Creation

In mid-September, the Alabama State Port Authority and the Moffat & Nichol project team announced the expansion of the wetlands in Mobile Bay. The $2.5-million Upper Mobile Bay Wetland Creation project will expand the wetlands by 1,200 acres over the next 10-20 years.

This project aims to ensure that the sediments dredged from the upper half of Mobile Bay are used to restore the coastal wetlands. Approximately 6 million cubic yards of sediment are removed from Alabama’s Mobile Harbor federal navigation channel and nearby areas each year. This project will allow those sediments to be used more efficiently and resourcefully. 

The expansion of the wetlands will have several benefits on our coastal environment, including improved water quality, habitat creation for coastal and marine life, and improved dredging practices that will enhance and support commerce. It will also reduce damage from storm surge.

The project is currently in the planning phase. Over the next five years, initial construction will occur with expansion over the next 20 years. The project team is now receiving feedback on their design concept, designing 100 acres of Wetland Creation and finalizing their long-term plan.

The local engineers and scientists working on the project provided a 20-minute presentation at the Alabama Port Authority’s virtual meeting on September 14, 2021. The presentation included the project’s history, key benefits, expectations, a proposed timeline and work completed to date. You can visit www.uppermobaywetlands.com to view conceptual designs and watch the recording and the presentation slides of the virtual public meeting.

To stay in the know with the Upper Mobile Bay Wetland Creation project, email UpperMoBayWetlands@asdd.com to get on their email list.

Alabama State Port Authority. (20121, May 20). Alabama State Port Authority Announces Wetland Creation Planning Now Underway [Press release]