Influence of Harbor construction on downcoast morphological evolution: Santa Barbara, California

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Abstract

Sand impoundment caused by construction of the Santa Barbara Harbor in the 1920s, created an erosion wave that impacted downcoast Carpinteria Beach. Historic beach and shoreline changes were analyzed to understand continuing erosion using a combination of historic air photos, lidar, and physical measurements. The long-term analyses show a clockwise rotation with erosion of - 0.35 m/yr at the updrift end and accretion downdrift of 0.3 m/yr. Storm impacts measured before and after the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Ni??o events show similar rotation patterns, providing evidence that El Ni??os may be driving coastal evolution. Differences in shoreline responses between El Nino events show that the erosion hotspot migrated downdrift following construction of a revetment after the 1982-83 storms. Seasonal field measurements in the winter show beach narrowing while sediment coarsen variably alongshore. The coarsest materials and erosion hotspot are co-located at the end of the revetment on the city beach. Copyright ASCE 2008.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Influence of Harbor construction on downcoast morphological evolution: Santa Barbara, California
ISBN 9780784409688
DOI 10.1061/40968(312)57
Volume 312
Year Published 2008
Language English
Larger Work Title Solutions to Coastal Disasters Congress 2008 - Proceedings of the Solutions to Coastal Disasters Congress 2008
First page 630
Last page 642
Conference Title Solutions to Coastal Disasters Congress 2008
Conference Location Oahu, HI
Conference Date 13 April 2008 through 16 April 2008
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