CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Inventory and Characterization
Segment C - Zenith
Table 11 below summarizes the shoreline characterization for Segment C.
Table 11. Shoreline Segment “C” Summary
Land Use /
Transportation
Stream
Discharges
Public Shoreline
Access
Hazard Areas
Habitat / Habitat
Potential
Single-Family Res.:
88%, Multi-Family:
7%;
Local streets
Streams:
Massey
Creek and
unnamed
creek near S.
239th Street
S. 239th Street
Access
Erosion, Flood
Wetlands, Streams,
Banks/Bluffs,
Fish & Wildlife Areas
(Forage Fish,
Salmonids, seabird
nesting, shorebirds
and piscivorous birds,
shellfish)
Shoreline functions within Segment C have been impacted by the following activities:
• Shoreline armoring including riprap (includes mouth of Massey Creek), concrete and
wooden bulkheads;
• Removal/loss of marine riparian vegetation; and
• Increased impervious surface within the Massey Creek basin.
Effects upon the nearshore environment include:
• Sediment supply to nearshore areas cut off by riprap and concrete and wooden bulkheads;
• Marine riparian vegetation provides wildlife habitat, microclimates (shade/prey), source
of large woody debris, bank stability, improvements to water quality; and
• Subestuaries and deltas depend upon rainfall to bring sediments from upstream to the
nearshore area. High flow rates and volumes resulting from increased runoff from
impervious surface can alter the formation and function of these features.
March 2005 Page 43