Wave Energy Reduction System

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating moderately quiescent water in which transplanted emergent salt marsh wetlands grasses can endure and eventually establish without the need for eliminating the energy of occurring waves.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A wave energy reduction system comprising:
 (a) one or more wave energy reduction rolls, each roll comprising a geotextile mat rolled into a roughly cylindrical shape and placed in or at the edge of water near a shoreline so that the exposed cut-side of the roll faces away from incoming waves;   (b) a multiplicity of cable ties, with the cable ties wrapped and tied around the roll at periodic intervals along its length in order to maintain its cylindrical shape;   (c) a fastening means comprised of a multiplicity of anchors spaced evenly along the length of the roll, with each anchor made of a hard material, attached to the substrate of the shore, and also comprising an eyelet above ground level allowing it to be further secured to another object with a rope, cable, or other means; and   (d) a number of pieces of water-resistant rope equal to the number of anchors used, each piece of rope being sufficiently long to allow it to be wrapped around the roll and its ends securely tied at the top of the roll with a multiplicity of knots.   
     
     
         2 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the roll is between 12 and 14 inches (30.5 cm and 35.6 cm) in diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the length of each cable tie is at least 4 times the diameter of the roll. 
     
     
         4 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable ties contain ultraviolet light inhibitors. 
     
     
         5 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable ties have a tensile stress rating of at least 175 psi (1.21 MPa). 
     
     
         6 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors are attached to the substrate so that their eyelets are just above the surface of the soil. 
     
     
         7 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchors comprise steel. 
     
     
         8 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein each anchor has a minimum diameter of 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). 
     
     
         9 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein each anchor has a minimum tensile strength of 1400 psi (9.65 MPa). 
     
     
         10 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein each piece of rope comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , wherein multiple wave energy reduction rolls are placed in a linear fashion in or at the edge of water near a shoreline. 
     
     
         12 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 1 , further comprising a multiplicity of pieces of water-resistant flexible tubing of sufficient diameter to allow a rope or a second piece of water-resistant flexible tubing to be threaded through. 
     
     
         13 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 12 , wherein each piece of tubing is sized to fit through the eyelet of said anchor. 
     
     
         14 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 12 , wherein each piece of tubing is sized so that its length is roughly twice that of the diameter of the roll. 
     
     
         15 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 12 , wherein the rope is threaded through one piece of flexible tubing to faun a rope-and-tubing combination. 
     
     
         16 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 15 , wherein the rope-and-tubing combination is threaded through a second piece of flexible tubing to form another rope-and-tubing combination. 
     
     
         17 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 16 , wherein the rope-and-tubing combination is threaded through the eyelet of the anchor in such a manner that an approximately equal length of both pieces of tubing is on the water side and land side of the roll. 
     
     
         18 . The wave energy reduction system of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible tubing comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         19 . A wave energy reduction apparatus comprising:
 (a) a geotextile mat rolled into a roughly cylindrical shape;   (b) a multiplicity of cable ties wrapped and tied around the roll at periodic intervals along its length in order to maintain its cylindrical shape;   (c) a fastening means comprised of a multiplicity of anchors spaced evenly along the length of the roll, with each anchor made of a hard material, attached to the substrate of the shore, and also containing an eyelet above ground level allowing it to be further secured to another object with a rope, cable, or other means; and   (d) a number of pieces of water-resistant rope equal to the number of anchors used, each piece of rope being sufficiently long to allow it to be wrapped around the roll and its ends securely tied at the top of the roll with a multiplicity of knots.   
     
     
         20 . The wave energy reduction apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a multiplicity of pieces of water-resistant flexible tubing of sufficient diameter to allow a rope or a second piece of water-resistant flexible tubing similar in diameter to said rope to be threaded through, with each piece of tubing sized to fit through the eyelet of said anchor, and further sized so that its length is roughly twice that of the diameter of the roll.