Physical Monitoring of the Long-term Effectiveness of a Puget Sound Beach Restoration Project
Presentation Abstract
The long-term monitoring of a major beach restoration project on the shore of Seahurst Park in Burien, Washington included 10 years of post-project physical beach monitoring between 2005 and 2015, along with 2 years of pre-project monitoring. Restoration at the park was initiated to remove the failing shore armor, restore natural processes and rebuild the beach profile for the benefit of Pacific salmon and other species and to augment the park visitors’ experience through a more natural beach environment and improved trails. Multiple tools from the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox were implemented following restoration, however this talk focuses on the application of physical beach monitoring.
Beach topographic data was collected via total station survey in both the south and north park beach restoration phases. Analysis included both profile change observations as well as comprehensive beach surface change analysis from topographic data. Sediment sampling of the upper beach was completed concurrent with beach surveying. Samples were processed for sediment grain size and compared to previous years. Results of ten years of monitoring are discussed along with lessons learned and implications for future monitoring projects.
Session Title
Shoreline Monitoring: Citizen Science, Restoration Effectiveness, and Data Integration
Conference Track
Engagement
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
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)
Coastal zone management-- Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Shore protection-- Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Beach nourishment--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
Physical Monitoring of the Long-term Effectiveness of a Puget Sound Beach Restoration Project
2016SSEC
The long-term monitoring of a major beach restoration project on the shore of Seahurst Park in Burien, Washington included 10 years of post-project physical beach monitoring between 2005 and 2015, along with 2 years of pre-project monitoring. Restoration at the park was initiated to remove the failing shore armor, restore natural processes and rebuild the beach profile for the benefit of Pacific salmon and other species and to augment the park visitors’ experience through a more natural beach environment and improved trails. Multiple tools from the Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox were implemented following restoration, however this talk focuses on the application of physical beach monitoring.
Beach topographic data was collected via total station survey in both the south and north park beach restoration phases. Analysis included both profile change observations as well as comprehensive beach surface change analysis from topographic data. Sediment sampling of the upper beach was completed concurrent with beach surveying. Samples were processed for sediment grain size and compared to previous years. Results of ten years of monitoring are discussed along with lessons learned and implications for future monitoring projects.
