An Initial Comparison of Armored and Unarmored Beaches from Boat-Based LiDAR
Presentation Abstract
In order to address a multitude of coastal planning and resource management needs, the Washington State Department of Ecology Coastal Monitoring & Analysis Program (CMAP) recently outfitted a new research vessel, the R/V George Davidson, and began conducting high-resolution topographic and bathymetric surveys along selected Puget Sound beaches. Data is being collected for both baseline mapping and monitoring purposes. Studies are underway to quantify terrestrial sediment delivery from coastal bluffs, nearshore sediment transport, and morphology change as well as the relationship to nearshore ecological functions. This paper will present initial boat-based LiDAR survey results and data analysis to document and compare the physical characteristics (i.e., beach morphology and properties such as slope, elevation, width, and sediment texture) of armored and unarmored beaches. The intent of this comparison is to evaluate the relationships between shoreline armoring and beach structure and how well they agree with common conceptual models of the physical effects of shoreline armoring on beaches. Where possible, other quantitative metrics are being extracted as indicators of beach quality and function such as beach wrack, overhanging vegetation, and large woody debris.
Session Title
Session S-06H: Puget Sound Shorelines and the Impacts of Armoring: State of the Science 2014
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)
Shore protection--Environmental aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Remote sensing; Coastal zone management--Washington (State)--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Remote sensing
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and 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
An Initial Comparison of Armored and Unarmored Beaches from Boat-Based LiDAR
Room 6C
In order to address a multitude of coastal planning and resource management needs, the Washington State Department of Ecology Coastal Monitoring & Analysis Program (CMAP) recently outfitted a new research vessel, the R/V George Davidson, and began conducting high-resolution topographic and bathymetric surveys along selected Puget Sound beaches. Data is being collected for both baseline mapping and monitoring purposes. Studies are underway to quantify terrestrial sediment delivery from coastal bluffs, nearshore sediment transport, and morphology change as well as the relationship to nearshore ecological functions. This paper will present initial boat-based LiDAR survey results and data analysis to document and compare the physical characteristics (i.e., beach morphology and properties such as slope, elevation, width, and sediment texture) of armored and unarmored beaches. The intent of this comparison is to evaluate the relationships between shoreline armoring and beach structure and how well they agree with common conceptual models of the physical effects of shoreline armoring on beaches. Where possible, other quantitative metrics are being extracted as indicators of beach quality and function such as beach wrack, overhanging vegetation, and large woody debris.
