State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

Wells Beach, Wells

Four beach profiles (WE00, WE02-WE04, Figure 80) were available for analysis. The profiles are located from the southwest to northeast along Wells Beach.

Winter Profile Changes

WE00 = C (75)

Figure 81

Located south of Casino Point, WE00 received an A in the last assessment. After the storm, WE00 was left with a very steep profile (Figure 81), with a large erosive trough where the berm had been. Very good recovery occurred in 2008 and 2009, with the return of the berm, and a well-developed profile. In 2010, the upper portion of the profile gained sand and steepened (increasing the sand elevation at the pin by about 30 cm), but the elevation of the berm decreased slightly. In 2011, the profile lost elevation at its upper portion, and at the berm. Although a berm was still evident out to about 50 m from the starting point, the profile was eroded to below the 2007 shape seaward of this mark. Overall, WE00 showed good recovery through 2010; in 2011, the profile appears to have eroded to elevations between the 2007 and 2008 profile shapes.

WE02 = B+ (88)

Figure 82

Located north of Casino Point, WE02 received an A in the last assessment. In 2008 and 2009 (Figure 82), the profile showed steady recovery, increasing in elevation by about 1 m at the 50 m mark. Recovery continued to a high point in 2010, with the formation of a large, anomalous, well developed berm (likely comprised of cobbles) at about the 20 m mark. In 2011, this cobble berm had disappeared, but the profile stayed at or above the 2009 sand elevation. Although it has undergone berm loss in 2011 and slight lowering at its starting point, profile WE02 is showing good stability and general growth over the past four years.

WE03 = C (75)

Figure 83

WE03 is located south of the Webhannet River jetties, and received an A- in the last assessment. The post-storm profile in 2007 (Figure 83) was the lowest and most concave. By 2008, good recovery had occurred with the return of sand along the entire profile. In 2009, a berm formed near the 20 m mark, but the lower portion of the profile eroded slightly. 2010 showed further berm growth and profile recovery in the offshore. However in 2011, the profile eroded to below 2009 levels out to about the 60 m mark, and the berm was lost. Seaward of this point, the sand elevation increased. Although recovery from the storm has occurred, this profile is currently exhibiting an erosive trend in the past year to pre-2009 conditions, and the loss of the berm apparent in 2008, 2009, and 2010 concerns us.

WE04 = D (65)

Figure 84

WE04, directly adjacent to the Webhannet River jetties, received an A in the last assessment. This profile underwent good recovery and growth in 2008 and into 2009 (Figure 84), with additional elevation increases in the berm area. It appears 2009 had the most sand on the profile. By 2010, the berm appears to have started to erode. In 2011, the berm disappeared, the profile steepened, and eroded back to immediate 2007 post-storm elevations. This profile is currently is not showing additional signs of recovery, is currently undergoing erosion, and should continue to be monitored closely.

Winter Beach Grade = C (76)

Winter profiles along Wells Beach mostly show a concave profile, aside from WE00, which appears to be influenced by cobble and underlying geology. All of the profiles appeared to recover very well through 2009. Since 2009, however, most appear to be undergoing an erosional trend, with loss of sand berms aside from WE02. Erosion appears to even be occurring adjacent to the jetties, which historically have shown good stability and even growth.

Summer Profile Changes

WE00 = A (95)

Figure 85

The summer shape (Figure 85) underwent good recovery in 2008, with the return of sediment along the entire profile and the development of a berm. This was eroded and flattened in 2009, but the berm clearly recovered in 2010. In 2011, the profile exhibited additional growth, increasing in elevation starting at the 20 m mark seaward. The profile is showing excellent summer increases in sediment over the past four years.

WE02 = C- (72)

Figure 86

The WE02 summer profile (Figure 86), interestingly enough, appeared to be near its highest in elevation in the summer of 2007. In 2008, the profile lost elevation in the nearshore, and a notable trough formed near the 30 m mark. By 2009, a higher berm formed and the trough filled in. In 2010, the berm increased in elevation, but a large, deep trough was eroded, well below the 2008 profile shape, indicating the loss of over 1.5 m of sand near the 80 m mark. The profile also lost elevation at the starting pin. We are concerned about the elevation loss here and offshore. This profile appears to have undergone an erosive trend in 2010; comparison with summer 2011 profiles will help determine if it is recovering, or if this trend is continuing.

WE03 = D (65)

Figure 87

WE03 (Figure 87) showed very good recovery in terms of the summer beach profile in 2008, with growth in the dune, berm, and low-tide sand elevations. In 2009, the dune increased with seaward growth, but the berm and profile underwent some erosion. In 2010, the dune had eroded, the berm lowered, and the profile steepened into the offshore, indicating landward migration and erosion. However, this profile clearly indicates consistent erosion since 2008.

WE04 = B (85)

Figure 88

By the summer of 2008, WE04 (Figure 88) showed its most sediment rich profile, showing recovery of the dune and developing a well-defined berm. In 2009, the profile eroded landward, and the elevation of the berm was lost. By November 2010, the dune had clearly gained elevation, and there was some slight recovery in the berm, and stability consistent with the 2009 profile shape out to the low-tide area. This profile is showing general signs of summer stability, even though it is showing some signs of steepening in the nearshore.

Summer Beach Grade = C+ (79)

Summer profiles at Wells Beach appear to be doing better than winter profiles, with some signs of stability, even though erosion seems to be occurring at the central portion of the beach, indicated by changes from 2009-2010 at WE02 and WE03. It appears that 2008 was the best year for profile shapes along Wells Beach. Comparison with summer 2011 profiles will help further quantify these changes.

Summary

Overall, Wells Beach appears to be showing erosion in its middle two profiles, specifically during summer months. The two end profiles appear slightly more stable during the summer. Berm loss and profile deepening appear to be issues in the past year or so. We recommend an additional two profiles be established in the center section of Wells Beach to document trends over the full beach length.

Overall grade = C+ (78)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011