Shoreline morphodynamics in an urbanized setting in New Jersey: Surveying, Analytics, and Mapping

Jun Cheng

 Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Department: School of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
 

Abstract:

The Atlantic coast of New Jersey experienced impacts from distal passages of two hurricanes in fall 2023, including Hurricane Lee in mid-September followed by Tropical Storm Ophelia in late September. A total of 20 beach profiles spaced by 100 meters along the Ortley Beach and surrounding beaches in Ocean County, New Jersey, were established. Weekly beach surveys using RTK-GPS from the edge of the dune to mean low water was conducted from September 14 to October 12, 2023. The data captures the severe dune/beach erosion induced by the passage of TS Ophelia, with large waves and storm surges. The natural recovery processes of beach post tropical storm were interrupted by the subsequent winter storms starting from mid to late October. The systematic beach survey was continued until January 2025. Our results indicate that pre-storm beach width plays an important role in protection of dunes and landward infrastructure, the threshold beach width for dune line protection is about 40 m. A net retreat of shoreline occurred at Ortley Beach, and beach nourishment there is a somewhat overdue.Given the increasing chance of sequence of storms (tropical and winter storms), field observations on beach changes induced by storms will enhance our understanding on beach management.