WGI assisted Ecology and Environment, Inc. (a member of WSP USA) with survey efforts for an extensive shoreline restoration project along US 98, in Franklin County, Florida. This region borders the Gulf of Mexico and has been dubbed Florida’s “Forgotten Coast” because it remains one of the few areas in Florida lacking in high rises and strip malls, priding itself on pristine beaches and historic charm.

In an effort to address coastal degradation of nearshore submerged areas of St. George Sound, this project includes the installation of nearshore reefs and marshes and other methods to encourage the return of natural submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation. Led by the Apalachee Regional Planning Council, this project proves beneficial to both US, and Florida Fish and Wildlife efforts.

To capture accurate data, WGI remained alert, monitoring weather conditions, water clarity, and tidal datums. Once optimal conditions were observed, WGI dispatched crews immediately for data collection, operating simultaneously to meet a compressed schedule. Services included hydrographic single beam sonar, UAS’s, aerial photogrammetry, and traditional survey services. Transect lines were utilized for the traditional survey to check and complement the aerial LiDAR and hydrographic survey out to roughly 2,000 feet from the shoreline.

Project Highlights:

• One of the main challenges for this project was coordinating Aerial LiDAR flights to coincide with optimal weather, water clarity, and low tide.