Long Beach Island Case Study
Beach Erosion on Long Beach Island and the Grand Strand
Earth 111
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Abstract
Long Beach Island is a barrier island located approximately one mile off of the southern coast of New Jersey. The island in some areas is only a half-mile wide, with some areas, which are even narrower. Therefore, coastal erosion and flooding are both major concerns for the residents. Most of the island’s eighteen miles of beaches have experienced significant damage from erosion in recent decades. The damage is not only threatening the multimillion dollar homes in the area, but others also believe that the island will eventually become one with the Atlantic Ocean. However, in 2005 the Army Corps of Engineers began work on a $75 million dollar project to build a dune the length of the island. To analyze the severity of beach erosion on Long Beach Island, the following report compares the conditions to the Grand Strand off the coast of South Carolina. Both areas are experiencing many negative factors, which are contributing to the deterioration of the sandy beaches. The conclusion points to the fact that however short-term beach replenishment may be; it is the most viable option to solve the current devastation of beach erosion. …show more content…
At the entrance of the Winyah Bay, there is extensive southerly spit growth, which indicated a dominance of longshore transport to the south. This is very similar to the conditions in Long Beach Island as well. The sediment transport rate along the coast of Long Beach Island is 38,250 m3/yr to the south. This southward longshore transport is due to the gradual change in the shoreline configuration (Van Gaalen, pg. 28).
Erosion of Beach and Shoreface
Earth 111
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Abstract
Long Beach Island is a barrier island located approximately one mile off of the southern coast of New Jersey. The island in some areas is only a half-mile wide, with some areas, which are even narrower. Therefore, coastal erosion and flooding are both major concerns for the residents. Most of the island’s eighteen miles of beaches have experienced significant damage from erosion in recent decades. The damage is not only threatening the multimillion dollar homes in the area, but others also believe that the island will eventually become one with the Atlantic Ocean. However, in 2005 the Army Corps of Engineers began work on a $75 million dollar project to build a dune the length of the island. To analyze the severity of beach erosion on Long Beach Island, the following report compares the conditions to the Grand Strand off the coast of South Carolina. Both areas are experiencing many negative factors, which are contributing to the deterioration of the sandy beaches. The conclusion points to the fact that however short-term beach replenishment may be; it is the most viable option to solve the current devastation of beach erosion. …show more content…
At the entrance of the Winyah Bay, there is extensive southerly spit growth, which indicated a dominance of longshore transport to the south. This is very similar to the conditions in Long Beach Island as well. The sediment transport rate along the coast of Long Beach Island is 38,250 m3/yr to the south. This southward longshore transport is due to the gradual change in the shoreline configuration (Van Gaalen, pg. 28).
Erosion of Beach and Shoreface