Coastal Dynamics Monitoring at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas: 2017–2025 Data Summary
Bracewell J and Carlson J. 2025. Coastal Dynamics Monitoring at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas: 2017–2025 Data Summary. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/370. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2316405
In the spring of every other year, the National Park Service’s (NPS) Gulf Coast Network conducts geomorphology monitoring at Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) using standardized methods developed by the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Program. In 2025, a shoreline position survey was completed for the entire length of the park’s gulf shore, and a fixed set of 23 cross-shore topographic transects distributed along the Gulf shore were surveyed for elevations. This report presents results for the 2025 season and evaluates changes across time. Some of the key findings presented include that a relatively high number of high tide events occurred at Padre Island National Seashore during 2024, with prolonged inundation periods occurring in late summer and early fall. The mean rate of sea level rise at the park, based on nearby tide stations, averages 4.5 mm per year. From 2017 to 2025, the shoreline position at Padre Island National Seashore has retreated at an average rate of 0.7 meters per year. Topographic monitoring transects generally indicate slight increases in dune crest elevation, retreat of the dune crest position, and decreases in profile area. Notable trends in topographic change include profile area losses near Closed Beach and mile marker 54, increases in dune crest elevation near mile markers 5 and 14, and dune crest retreat near the Mansfield Channel. Although this project employs a well-established and tested methodology for measuring features and reporting changes, the study’s duration (2017–2025) is still short in the context of understanding long-term geomorphological dynamics and trends. Future surveys will be beneficial for gaining insights into the influence of slight changes in survey timing and other environmental variations.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Bracewell, Jeff; Carlson, Jane
- Date of Issue
- 2025-12
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2316405
- Units
- GULN , NRSS , PAIS
- Keywords
- coastal dynamics, coastal topography, geomorphology, guln, pais
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Coastal/Oceanographic Features and Processes