State of Maine's Beaches in 2009

East Grand Beach, Scarborough

Four beach profiles (EG01 to EG04, Figure 21) were available for comparison of pre-storm profile shape and post-Patriots' Day Storm impacts. Volunteer notes indicate that the profiling stakes at all four locations were lost in the storm. New stakes were established in approximate previous locations. Beach profile data were available from April 14, 2006, April 21, 2007 (immediately post-storm), September 18, 2008, and April 5, 2009.

EG01 = C

Figure 22

The pre-storm profile of EG01 (Figure 22) was eroded, and transgressed in a landward direction in response to the storm. The post-storm profile exhibited a higher dune crest (due to overwash), and a more landward and slightly steeper beach slope, with loss of sediment along the profile from about seaward of the 40 m mark. By 2008, it appears that the dune crest had further receded in a landward direction and lost some of its elevation. However, the middle and lower portions of the profile exhibited growth and elevation gains. Although the 2009 profile exhibited a slightly lower dune crest, it had grown (accreted) seaward slightly. The lower portion (seaward of 60 m) of the 2009 profile had slightly less elevation than the 2007 post-storm profile.

EG02 = A

Figure 23

The pre-storm 2006 profile (Figure 23) underwent large amounts of erosion in response to the storm, losing over 50 cm of elevation in the lower portion of the profile - the dune crest appeared to stay relatively stable, with only a slight decrease in elevation. By 2008, the entire profile showed incredible recovery, with the addition of over 1 m of sediment to the lower portion of the profile. The 2009 profile reflected some erosion from the combination of early April storms, and the profile adjusted accordingly, losing about half of the elevation gained by the 2008 profile. However, recovery here was quite good.

EG03 = A

Figure 24

The pre-storm profile was dramatically eroded, and the entire profile transgressed in a landward direction in response to the storm (Figure 24). The dune crest gained elevation and moved about 5 meters inland. By 2008, the profile had responded well to the storm, with sediment accreting along the majority of the profile from about 25 m seaward. The dune crest, however, was about 40 cm below the post-storm crest, but about equal to the pre-storm (2006) dune crest height. In 2009 the profile underwent some erosion along its mid and lower portions, but gained elevation, surpassing the 2006 pre-storm profile shape.

EG04 = B-

Figure 25

The storm eroded the 2006 profile along its middle portion, and resulted in a larger dune crest and an elevation gain in the offshore, from 60 m seaward (Figure 25). By 2008, the profile had maintained its post-storm dune crest, and also gained additional elevation along its length. However, in 2009, the profile lost sand elevation from about the 45 m mark seaward, resulting in a profile shape that was actually below the level of the post-storm profile.

Summary

Overall, recovery at East Grand Beach was very good. The profiles here responded to the storm with apparent transgression - that is, shifting of the profile shape in a landward direction. The dune crest at most locations was actually higher than the pre-storm crest, likely due to the process of overwash resulting from the storm. This is the sign of a healthy transgression in response to the storm event.

Overall grade = B

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References

Last updated on November 19, 2009