Protection from storm surge on 30A

[aquaticbiology]

This aerial mapping shows Salt Creek and Mexico beach area.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1044/images/beacon_hill_ne/beacon_hill_ne-1500.jpg

The coastal dunes in this are are predominantly absent and at best discontinuous.

Coastal elevations along Mexico Beach/Salt Creek area range approximately from 7 to to 15 feet.

Note that Hurricane Katrina is estimated to have created storm surges of 15 to 35 feet depending on location.

It is also interesting that the shallower the coastal sea bottom the worse the storm surge. Waters rise more easily when there's less of it to push. The shallower waters in the general area of Mexico Beach therefore maybe conducive to storm surge.

I notice the major shift between the proper dunes, then the trashed dune system - gee, could that be development?

 

[hi n dry]

good observation! Thanks for pointing that out.
Development not only damages the protective dunes but interferes with natural beach renourishment.

What do you think about all this beach armouring and beach excavation?
In the process of installing these massive seawalls they are using heavy equipment to dig down into the under lying layer of the beach. This excavation brings up dirt and darker sand from under the white sand beach layer and that is being allowed to mix with and contaminate the white sand.

 

[Beachlover2]

 

[aquaticbiology]

like pulling the chain on a old 'tommy' cabinet!

You are soooo lucky I have to vacuum and I can't rehash all the retaining wall/geotube madness into a 4-page post, so here you go instead:

read this through and you will understand everything about coastal erosion, development, protection schemes and devices, determining the amount and 'ground truth' of coastal zone anaylsis, etc and what exactly is happening to our beaches over the long run. It is mainly carribean island based, but applies directly to nw florida coastal areas.

http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/source/ero1.htm

"Coping with Beach Erosion is a practical guide for beach users, builders and homeowners as well as other coastal stakeholders. Written in a language and style accessible to the non-specialist, it provides expert advice concerning the dangers to consider when buying property and constructing houses, hotels etc. in erosion-prone beach areas. The question of how to conserve existing beaches is dealt with by demonstrating well tested shoreline protection and other management measures for current and potential erosion and accretion problems."

 

[Beachlover2]

Thanks for all the info you have provided - I feel the need to try to understand what we are doing to the future of your area - even if some attempts to change the situation go unheeded.

 

[hi n dry]

The attached aerial maps cover from Seaside to Seagrove Beach.
The highest elevation land on the map-above 30 feet- is approximately circled in yellow and extends from east side of Seaside through Seagrove Beach along Scenic 30A. Note that the elevation dips in the approximate area of The Hammocks subdivision along CR395.


There was a reason why the Old SeaGrove Beach area was chosen for an early settlement.

 

[aquaticbiology]

The attached aerial maps cover from Seaside to Seagrove Beach.
The highest elevation land on the map-above 30 feet- is approximately circled in yellow and extends from east side of Seaside through Seagrove Beach along Scenic 30A. Note that the elevation dips in the approximate area of The Hammocks subdivision along CR395.


There was a reason why the Old SeaGrove Beach area was chosen for an early settlement.

read this through and you will understand everything about coastal erosion, development, protection schemes and devices, determining the amount and 'ground truth' of coastal zone anaylsis, etc and what exactly is happening to our beaches over the long run. It is mainly carribean island based, but applies directly to nw florida coastal areas.

http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/source/ero1.htm

"Coping with Beach Erosion is a practical guide for beach users, builders and homeowners as well as other coastal stakeholders. Written in a language and style accessible to the non-specialist, it provides expert advice concerning the dangers to consider when buying property and constructing houses, hotels etc. in erosion-prone beach areas. The question of how to conserve existing beaches is dealt with by demonstrating well tested shoreline protection and other management measures for current and potential erosion and accretion problems."

 

[aquaticbiology]

Thanks for all the info you have provided - I feel the need to try to understand what we are doing to the future of your area - even if some attempts to change the situation go unheeded.

minamina, hanaka! last post not meant for BL2 (I get it and I love the popcorn!), but for hi-n-dry.

this is what happens when you post from work.