Beach Nourishment, Shoreline Change, and Dune Growth at Westhampton Beach, New York, 1996-2009

Abstract

Abstract Westhampton Beach is located on the barrier island between Moriches Inlet and Shinnecock Inlet, along the south shore of Long Island, New York. This vulnerable area has been subject to a number of beach erosion control measures under the authority of the Fire Island to Montauk Point, New York Beach Erosion and Hurricane Protection (FIMP) project as well as the related Westhampton Interim Project The Westhampton Interim Project, initiated in 1996, provided for beachfill placement, dune construction west of the groin field, periodic beachfill renourishment until 2027, and a tapering of the groins at the western edge of the groin field in order to provide a smooth transition to the downdrift barrier beaches. Project coastal processes monitoring since 1996 has shown that the shoreline position in the project area has been stable and there has been volumetric growth of the dune field west of the groin field. The 10-year average volumetric loss in the project area of 180,000 cubic yards per year is ver...