Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Chesapeake Bay Shore Erosion

contact: Stephen Van Ryswick (stephen.vanryswick@maryland.gov)   

 Hurricane Isabel and Shore Erosion in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland page 6 of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8    
  

Sediment Redistribution

     The forces responsible for erosion operate beyond the shoreline, within the broader coastal zone. In addition to actively eroding upland sediments, those forces, magnified by the storm, were directly responsible for extensive reconfiguration of the Bay margin, redistributing sediments temporarily stored on beaches and in shallow nearshore waters.

Bulldozers removed several feet of sand transported from the beach to a nearby road. Piney Pt., Potomac R., St. Mary’s Co. [10]
Bulldozers removed several feet of sand transported from the beach to a nearby road. Piney Pt., Potomac R., St. Mary’s Co. [10]
Seen below, pre- and post-storm photos showing the disruption of nearshore bars and the effectiveness of sand-trapping groins (above) and the reconfiguration of Point No Point, an incipient cuspate foreland (below). Chesapeake Bay, St. Mary’s Co. [10]
below, pre-storm shorelines Below, post-storm shorelines showing changes
     Pre-storm configuration of groins along Point No Point Post-storm configuration of groins along Point No Point
  Pre-storm configuration of Point No Point Post-storm configuration of Point No Point
 

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