State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

Kinney Shores, Saco

A total of two beach profiles (KS01, KS02, Figure 30) were available for comparison. The profiles are located at either end of Kinney Shores, from south to north.

Winter Profile Changes

KS01 = A (95)

Figure 31

Profile KS01 (Figure 31), located at the southern end of Kinney Shores in a natural dune, received a C in the last assessment. By 2008, the upper portion of the profile underwent good recovery, however lower portions still retained the immediate post-storm shape from about 20 m and seaward. In 2009, the upper part of the profile grew slightly, while the lower portion of the profile deepened to below the post-2007 storm profile shape. In 2010, the profile underwent erosion on its upper portion, the berm, while the lower portion appeared to gain some sediment. By 2011, the entire profile showed marked recovery, with gains in elevation along its entire length. This profile showed excellent signs of growth, with elevation gains in the dune and berm.

KS02 = C- (75)

Figure 32

KS02 (Figure 32), located at the northern end of Kinney Shores in a seawall with a dune, received an A- in the last assessment. From 2007 to 2008, recovery of the upper berm occurred near the 20 m mark, but there was little change in the profile from about 30 m seaward. By 2009, it appears the dune grew slightly in elevation, and the berm, between about 15 and 30 m from the pin, showed good formation and growth. The beach also grew seaward at this time, from 2007 through 2009. By 2010, the dune increased in elevation, but the berm flattened slightly, and the beach lost elevation compared with the 2009 shape. In 2011, the dune appears to have lost elevation slightly, while the berm appears to have gained in elevation. However, it appears to have migrated landward, and the beach steepened and deepened starting at around the 20 m mark, actually eroding well below the 2007 post-storm shape. Although the upper portion of the profile appears stable, the berm has moved steadily up the profile, and the beach is showing signs of erosion. This may be due to the fact that the only winter data available in 2011 was from February, which might be too early to show beach recovery during the winter months. This profile should be monitored closely to see if recovery shows, or erosion continues.

Winter Beach Grade = B (85)

Interestingly, KS01 and KS02 have shifted scores since the last assessment. With its position at the southern end of Kinney Shores, closer to a salient (sand shoal) and bedrock outcrop in the surf zone, KS01 may be seeing more stability and growth due to the protection offered by these features.

Summer Profile Changes

KS01 = B (85)

Figure 33

The 2008 summer profile (Figure 33) gained elevation along the upper berm out to about 18 m; however, the beach appeared to be slightly lower than the summer 2007 shape. The lower portion of the 2008 summer profile nearer the low-tide area, from about 40 m seaward, was higher in elevation than the 2007 profile. The 2009 profile lost sediment along its beach and berm, and gained sand seaward of the 40 m mark. In 2010, the berm sand elevations increased by about 50 cm in elevation over the 2009 shape, but the profile exhibited a steeper slope near the 40 m mark and seaward. The profile appears to have gained sediment, especially at the base of the wall and along the berm, since the summer of 2009; however it is showing a steeper foreshore slope, similar to the 2007 profile shape.

KS02 = C (75)

Figure 34

By 2008, the summer profile (Figure 34) had actually migrated landward slightly, with the berm landward of the 2007 shape. The lowest portion of the profile, near the low-tide area, appears to have gained some elevation. By 2009, the landward movement of the berm continued and the berm appears to have gained some elevation, while losing some of its width. In 2010, the profile lowered and steepened, and shifted inland by about 10-15 more meters. The 2010 shape was actually more erosive than the summer 2007 post-storm shape, and lower in elevation by about 30 cm. This profile appears to be undergoing some landward migration of the berm area, though it has remained relatively stable since 2010. This profile should be monitored closely to see if erosion continues.

Summer Beach Grade = B- (80)

The summer profiles at Kinney Shores both exhibit seasonal summer berms. The berm at KS01 appears to be growing, while the berm at KS02 appears to be moving slightly landward in response to some erosion. This is a reversal of trends from the 2009 assessment.

Summary

The Kinney Shores beach profiles appear to have shifted in terms of their recovery patterns, whereas KS02 underwent good recovery in the last assessment, it appears KS01 is showing much better recovery in both summer and winter shapes in this assessment, while KS02 appears to be undergoing a slightly more erosive trend, with landward migration of its features. Additional monitoring will help determine if KS02's erosional trend continues.

Overall grade = B (83)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011