State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

East Grand Beach, Scarborough

A total of four beach profiles (EG01 to EG04, Figure 21) were available for comparison. The profiles extend northeast to southwest along East Grand Beach, clustered together. Volunteer notes indicate that the profiling stakes at all four locations were lost in the storm. New stakes were established in approximate previous locations.

Winter Profile Changes

EG01 = A (95)

Figure 22

Profile EG01 (Figure 22), which is the northeastern-most profile, received a C in the last assessment. By September 2008 (the earliest data available for comparison), it appears that the dune crest lost some of its elevation and moved in a landward direction, with the lower portion of the dune and beach berm migrating seaward (near the break-in-slope). The 2009 profile exhibited a slightly lower dune crest, but further seaward accretion of the dune, while the beach appears to have been eroded slightly to the 2007 profile elevation. By 2010, the profile showed substantial dune growth, but a decrease in the berm elevation, and flattening of the beach. In 2011, the dune grew slightly farther seaward, and the berm/beach developed a gentle slope, gaining elevation above all other years. This profile is showing signs of excellent recovery and continued growth.

EG02 = A (95)

Figure 23

Profile EG02 (Figure 23) received an A in the last assessment. After the storm, the break-in-slope from the dune to the beach was at roughly the 50 m mark. By 2008, the profile showed extremely good recovery, with the addition of over 1 m of sediment to the berm portion of the profile. The 2009 profile eroded from the 2008 shape, losing about half of the elevation gained by the 2008 profile. However, by 2010, the dune had grown seaward and the berm had migrated seaward by about 25 m. This trend continued in 2011, with both the dune, berm, and low-tide areas gaining sediment. This profile is showing signs of excellent recovery and continued growth.

EG03 = A (95)

Figure 24

Profile EG03 (Figure 24) received an A in the last assessment. 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. In 2009 the profile underwent some erosion along its lower berm and low-tide area. However, consistent with the other profiles, it underwent very good recovery along its upper portion, in the dune area in 2010, though the berm and beach (near 60 m) steepened and lost some elevation. The lower portion of the profile (the low-tide terrace) was eroded to below post-storm 2007 shape. By 2011, the entire profile had gained in elevation, and the berm migrated about 20 m seaward of the 2007 shape. This profile is showing signs of excellent recovery and continued growth.

EG04 = A- (92)

Figure 25

Profile EG04 (Figure 25) received a B- in the last assessment. By 2008, the profile had maintained its post-storm dune crest, and gained additional elevation along its berm and lower portion. 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. Recovery occurred in the upper portion of the profile in the dune in 2010, but the berm portion of the profile continued to deepen. In 2011, the upper portion of the dune grew, and the berm gained elevation. However, the berm at this profile appears to have slightly lost elevation, even though it has migrated seaward. Generally, this profile is showing very good recovery and continued growth.

Winter Beach Grade = A (94)

Clearly, the winter profiles at East Grand Beach show accretion. The dune and berm appear to be migrating seaward over the past few years, indicating good growth.

Summer Profile Changes

EG01 = B (85)

Figure 26

By September 2008 (Figure 26), the dune crest grew, and the entire profile showed signs of recovery, with the berm increasing in elevation. The 2009 summer profile shape was almost exactly the same as 2008, indicating good summer stability. In 2010, the profile gained substantial amounts of sand in its dune, growing upward and seaward. However, the berm and beach portion of the profile lost elevation compared with 2008 and 2009. This profile is showing strong dune growth, and berm stability aside from the 2010 berm shape. Comparison with the August 2011 beach profile will help indicate if the berm recovers from the 2010 shape, though we are certain it will.

EG02 = B (85)

Figure 27

Similar to EG01, EG02 (Figure 27) showed very good recovery by summer 2008, gaining sand along its entire length. By 2009, the profile had lost some sediment in comparison. However, by 2010, the profile had grown dramatically in the dune, in both elevation and width. The berm and beach portions of the profile are lower in elevation than 2008 and 2009, consistent with EG01. This likely again is due to the 2010 winter storms, and should be monitored. We do expect the berm to recover, as this profile is showing signs of very good stability and dune growth.

EG03 = A (95)

Figure 28

Similar to the other profiles, EG03 (Figure 28) has shown substantial recovery from its 2007 summer shape, with expansive dune growth. However, unlike the other East Grand Beach summer profiles, the berm and beach portion of EG03 (seaward of the break-in-slope at about 60 m) has profile remained stable from 2007 through 2010, while most of the other profiles experienced recovery, then deepening in 2010. This profile is showing signs of excellent stability and growth.

EG04 = A (95)

Figure 29

EG04 (Figure 29) exhibited a high but scarped dune in 2007, which lowered in 2008 but grew seaward and gained sand along the lower profile. In summer 2009, the profile appears to have undergone some erosion. By the summer of 2010, the dune had grown substantially seaward. The beach and berm of the profile appear to be stable. This profile is showing signs of excellent stability and growth.

Summer Beach Grade = A- (90)

The summer beach shapes along East Grand Beach all indicate substantial dune growth, vertically and horizontally (seaward). Profiles EG01 and EG02 indicate some lowering of the berm in 2010, likely due to the back-to-back storms in February and March 2010. We do expect these berms will recover in 2011, though comparisons with August 2011 profiles are needed to confirm this. Profiles EG03 and EG04 show very good growth in their dunes and stable summer beach shapes.

Summary

Overall, East Grand Beach is showing excellent stability in its winter and summer beach shapes, and substantial dune growth. In fact, East Grand Beach has shown the best growth of all the beaches monitored. This is the sign of a healthy beach system due to a sediment-rich nearshore. We expect the "summer" berms at several of the profiles to fully recover by August of 2011.

Overall grade = A- (92)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011