Puget Sound Feeder Bluff Mapping: Compiling and completeing a Sound-wide geomorphic data set
Presentation Abstract
The term “feeder bluff” is used in the Puget Sound region to describe bluffs that provide a significant volume of sediment to the beach. Beaches and spits, sustained by the ongoing supply of sand and gravel from feeder bluffs, are key elements in the Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem. The objective of this project was to produce comprehensive mapping of Puget Sound feeder bluffs and related coastal landforms suitable for guiding improved shoreline management. In recent years, different mapping efforts conducted in the region have attempted to integrate general principles and concepts of coastal geomorphology. Coastal Geologic Services (CGS) developed a mapping method, in collaboration with a technical advisory group consisting of local coastal processes experts, which had been applied across 11 counties and over 1,150 miles of Puget Sound shore (Johannessen and Chase 2005, Johannessen 2010). However, neither this method nor any other which sufficiently addressed these principles had been applied across Puget Sound. Several previous Sound-wide mapping efforts fell short either due to coarse resolution, frequent errors, or by being focused only on the mapping of coastal landforms rather than morphology and processes. The CGS team compiled 26 data sets to characterize and evaluate how feeder bluffs or similar landforms were mapped. The relative quality of data was assessed to identify consistencies and differences among the data sets, and identify the best quality data for inclusion (with minor revisions if necessary) into an interim geodatabase of existing feeder bluff mapping. Ten existing data sets (700 miles of shore) met the assessment criteria and formed the foundation for the final feeder bluff mapping geodatabase. The remaining unmapped shores determined the areas in which new mapping would focus. Most new mapping was conducted using a field-based approach, with some remote mapping (approximately 22% of new mapping). The mapping methods applied were the same as those applied by CGS across approximately half of the Puget Sound region shore. All data were compiled and analyzed to enhance understanding of the occurrence of feeder bluffs and other geomorphic shoretypes throughout the Puget Sound region. Shoretype data were analyzed Sound-wide, within each drift cell, and within each county, to support county-wide shoreline management. Data assessment, compilation, and new data collection have resulted in a high-quality, comprehensive, geomorphic data set spanning the Puget Sound region. This data set documents regional variability in nearshore geomorphic conditions, forms a foundation for future coastal geomorphic research, and will enhance greater understanding of geomorphic processes in the region over time.
Session Title
Session S-01G: New Strategies for Shorelines
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Beach erosion--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Maps; Coastal zone management--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Shore protection--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Shorelines--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Data sets--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Puget Sound Feeder Bluff Mapping: Compiling and completeing a Sound-wide geomorphic data set
Room 6C
The term “feeder bluff” is used in the Puget Sound region to describe bluffs that provide a significant volume of sediment to the beach. Beaches and spits, sustained by the ongoing supply of sand and gravel from feeder bluffs, are key elements in the Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem. The objective of this project was to produce comprehensive mapping of Puget Sound feeder bluffs and related coastal landforms suitable for guiding improved shoreline management. In recent years, different mapping efforts conducted in the region have attempted to integrate general principles and concepts of coastal geomorphology. Coastal Geologic Services (CGS) developed a mapping method, in collaboration with a technical advisory group consisting of local coastal processes experts, which had been applied across 11 counties and over 1,150 miles of Puget Sound shore (Johannessen and Chase 2005, Johannessen 2010). However, neither this method nor any other which sufficiently addressed these principles had been applied across Puget Sound. Several previous Sound-wide mapping efforts fell short either due to coarse resolution, frequent errors, or by being focused only on the mapping of coastal landforms rather than morphology and processes. The CGS team compiled 26 data sets to characterize and evaluate how feeder bluffs or similar landforms were mapped. The relative quality of data was assessed to identify consistencies and differences among the data sets, and identify the best quality data for inclusion (with minor revisions if necessary) into an interim geodatabase of existing feeder bluff mapping. Ten existing data sets (700 miles of shore) met the assessment criteria and formed the foundation for the final feeder bluff mapping geodatabase. The remaining unmapped shores determined the areas in which new mapping would focus. Most new mapping was conducted using a field-based approach, with some remote mapping (approximately 22% of new mapping). The mapping methods applied were the same as those applied by CGS across approximately half of the Puget Sound region shore. All data were compiled and analyzed to enhance understanding of the occurrence of feeder bluffs and other geomorphic shoretypes throughout the Puget Sound region. Shoretype data were analyzed Sound-wide, within each drift cell, and within each county, to support county-wide shoreline management. Data assessment, compilation, and new data collection have resulted in a high-quality, comprehensive, geomorphic data set spanning the Puget Sound region. This data set documents regional variability in nearshore geomorphic conditions, forms a foundation for future coastal geomorphic research, and will enhance greater understanding of geomorphic processes in the region over time.
