Beach profile lines at 21 near-evenly spaced intervals along Holden Beach, North Carolina, between Lockwoods Folly and Shallotte Inlets, were measured from November 1970 to December 1974. These have been analyzed to determine the spatial and temporal variabilities on long-term, seasonal, and short-term scales. Profile lines near the inlets showed the greatest variability in mean sea level (MSL) position, above MSL volume, foreshore slope, and profile envelope. This variability near Lockwoods Folly Inlet was partly enhanced by artificial nourishment at profile line 2. Temporary, low-cost shore protection devices (e.g., sandbag groins) were constructed near that inlet during part of the study. No other modifications or activities that affected beach processes were known to occur during the study period. The central part of Holden Beach was studied separately because of the high variability of the inlet sections at either end of the island. Foreshore slopes along this reach increased from an average of 1:30 at the east end to 1:17 at the west. A seasonal change in above MSL volume indicates loss of sand during autumn and winter, and a gain during spring and summer. Changes in MSL shoreline intercept and above MSL volume were highly variable during the study. Regression analysis and total annual rates of change indicate that the MSL shoreline is advancing while above MSL volume is decreasing. The net sand loss along the central reach was met or exceeded by gains along the inlet reaches. Wind data showed that strong winds occurred less frequently than normal during the study, and few major storms had an impact on the beach. Erosion events correlated with high water levels and strong onshore winds (near 10 meters per second) while accretion events correlated with gentle, onshore winds for several days before the survey. Visual wave data indicated that westward littoral transport predominated two to three times the eastward transport. The extreme variability of the inlet sections in comparison to the central section emphasizes the need for a different sampling approach to understand these disparate environments.
Beach Changes at Holden Beach, North Carolina, 1970-74
Miscellaneous Report ; 83-5
1983
32794481
Report
Electronic Resource
English
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