On May 20, partners and stakeholders gathered virtually to present and discuss plans for research taking place in the Chignecto Isthmus to study nature-based infrastructure and its role in mitigating coastal flood and erosion risk in Canada. You can watch our project partners present on this research project with the video to the right.

The Chignecto Isthmus is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards and is one of four study sites selected for the Nature-Based Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience and Risk Reduction project. Research at this site is being led by the National Research Council of Canada in partnership with TransCoastal Adaptations at Saint Mary’s University, Queen’s University, and Natural Resources Canada - Geological Survey of Canada.

Field research and hydrodynamic modelling in Chignecto Bay will take place throughout the Summer, Fall and Winter of 2021. Ultimately, this project will produce a design guidance for coastal infrastructure in Canada, as well as a knowledge base and analytical tools to assess site suitability for nature-based infrastructure.

At the May 20 meeting, stakeholders reported important changes to local dyke infrastructure, and identified a planned marsh restoration project aligned with planned research. The group also discussed the need for updated and accurate bathymetric data of the upper portion of Chignecto Bay. Stakeholders stated support for the research project, and stressed the need to identify solutions to high risk storm surges in the Isthmus.

Data Needed

We are actively searching for current bathymetric data of the Chignecto Bay. If you or your organization has relevant data they would like to share with us for the purposes of this project, please contact Danika Van Proosdij at dvanproo@smu.ca. Likewise, contact us if your organization has interest in funding data collection or if you have information regarding recent dyke breaching or overtopping in the Chignecto Bay area.