Storm-Driven Morphodynamics of a Sandy Beach in Florida

Abstract

Jose, F. and Carlin, F., 2022. Storm-driven morphodynamics of a sandy beach in Florida. Journal of Coastal Research, 38(5), 896–907. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Barrier islands and sandy beaches are considered important economic and environmental assets. Florida's gulf coast has one of the most morphologically diverse barrier island systems in the world, with a delicate balance between tidal and wave-generated processes that rapidly bring about morphological changes on this low-energy coast. Significant morphological response can evolve in the coastal zone because of natural phenomena such as hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as anthropogenic activities and coastal engineering projects (Davis and Barnard, 2003). The study uses LIDAR data and historical Google Earth images to assess the long-term morphological and volumetric evolution of Casey Key in Sarasota County, Florida, in response to major storms and anthropogenic activities. Casey Key overall has proven resilient to erosion, especially an 8-km-long middle segment, despite being battered during the 2004 hurricane season, when it is estimated that 608,094 m3 of sand was lost. The key appears to be mostly stable, and it has since recovered the loss and even received benefits from failed nourishment projects to the north. However, the northernmost 2.5-km shoreline of the key is highly vulnerable, with as much as 50 m of retreat in some areas that threatens houses and beach development. Construction of jetty at the south end of the island resulted in enormous progradation of the beach at the expense of excessive downdrift erosion and retreat of the barrier island just south of Casey Key.