A preliminary study of storm-induced beach erosion for North Carolina
Knowles CE, Langfelder J, Mcdonald R. 1973. A preliminary study of storm-induced beach erosion for North Carolina. Report No. 73-5. Center for Marine Coastal Studies. North Carolina State. Raleigh, NC
Storm erosion of beaches and dunes of the North Carolina coast has always occurred, but it has not been a serious economic problem until recently when increased development of beach front property has taken place. In some locations, structures have been built seaward of the beach storm recession line and have sustained considerable damage. This report presents the results of a study to determine the expected storm induced beach erosion which can provide preliminary information needed for coastal land management. Preliminary beach development limits recommended in this report are based on calculated recessions of beaches for storm occurrences of one in twenty five, one in fifty, and one in a hundred year frequencies. Necessary field data were collected from fishing piers along the entire North Carolina coast except for Currituck and Hyde Counties where no piers exist. Beach recession values were calculated using essentially a semi-empirical procedure that is a modification of a technique adapted by Vallianos of the Wilmington District of the U. S. Corps of Engineers from previously described work.