State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

Higgins Beach, Scarborough

A total of three beach profiles (HI01, HI02, and HI03) were available for comparison (Figure 5). The profiles extend from southwest to northeast, along the beach.

Winter Profile Changes

HI01 = C- (72)

Figure 6

Profile HI01 (Figure 6), which is located at the main seawall at Higgins Beach, received an A in the last assessment. In 2008, the beach profile showed marked recovery from April 2007, with gains in sediment along the uppermost portion of the profile, and at the 50 m mark and seaward of the 100 m mark. Note that it was impossible to compare the profiles between 2008 and 2009 since the seawall where the pin was located was reconstructed. In 2010, the starting pin was relocated as close to its original position in 2008 as possible. The 2010 profile showed significant erosion and lowering of over 1 m along its entire length in response to a very stormy winter season. This profile shape exposed the historic erosional surface i.e., large peat outcrops visible in the surf zone. Luckily, by 2011, the beach appears to have recovered from this erosive year and returned to a shape more consistent with the 2008 shape; however, it is steeper nearest the seawall, and lower seaward of the 40 m mark. This profile, although it recovered from the 2010 shape, has been eroded to just above its 2007 shape. This profile warrants caution due to its shape in 2010, and should be monitored closely to see if it maintains its elevation.

HI02 = F (55)

Figure 7

Profile HI02 (Figure 7), located at a smaller seawall, received a B in the last assessment. The profile exhibited relatively good recovery from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, the profile lost about 1 m of sand at the start of the profile (adjacent to the wall), and 50-60 cm of sand at the 50 to 100 m marks. Although some slight recovery was apparent by April 2011, the profile remains well below - on the order of 30-50 cm - the immediate post-storm Patriots' Day Storm profile. The fact that this profile has been so low in elevation for both 2010 and 2011 suggests that it has undergone significant erosion in the last two years.

HI03 = B (85)

Figure 8

Profile HI03 (Figure 8), located in a natural dune system close to the Spurwink River, received a C in the last assessment. This profile displays the influence of the Spurwink River on trapping sediment moving in an easterly-directed longshore drift. The 2009 report indicated that the profile actually gained sediment as a result of the Patriots' Day Storm. In 2008, the profile showed additional dune and beach berm building, along with a large offshore bar. However, the 2009 beach profile showed significant loss of sediment along the profile, especially starting near the 60 cm elevation, though there was additional seaward growth of the dune.

In 2010, additional nearshore growth of the beach occurred, between the 30 and 75 m offshore marks. Offshore loss of sediment occurred starting at the 75 m mark (at a depth near -2.25 m), and the profile here was below the 2009 elevation. This trend continued in 2011, with additional growth of the dune and beach out to about 50 m, coupled with vertical loss of the profile on the order of 50 cm, starting at roughly the 50 m mark. This profile is showing significant seaward growth of the dune and beach, but steepening and lowering of the profile in the offshore area.

Winter Beach Grade = C- (71)

The winter profiles at Higgins Beach vary greatly. HI01 and HI02, both at seawalls appear to be concave, while HI03, backed by a dune, is highly variable due to its proximity to the Spurwink River. Erosion appears to be occurring at HI01 and HI02, with accretion at HI03.

Summer Profile Changes

HI01 = C (75)

Figure 9

From 2007 to 2008, HI01 responded relatively well, gaining in elevation along its entire length and showing a well-defined berm at the 10-25 m mark (Figure 9). It was impossible to compare the profiles between 2008 and 2009 since the seawall where the pin was located was reconstructed. By 2010, the pin was relocated as close to its original position in 2008 as possible. The 2010 profile showed loss of the berm that was evident in 2008, and erosion of the profile down to 2007 elevations out to about 25 m from the starting pin. Seaward of this, the 2010 summer profile maintained a shape almost exactly as the 2008 shape. This profile appears to have been relatively stable in the summer since 2008. However, this profile saw erosion of its dry beach berm in 2010, which reduced space for summer beach recreation. Comparison with an August 2011 summer profile is needed to see if the beam has recovered this season or if erosion has continued.

HI02 = F (55)

Figure 10

The 2008 summer profile showed stability in the berm adjacent to the seawall that had formed in the 2007 summer profile (Figure 10). A well defined break in slope existed at the 25 m mark, marking the base of the berm and start of the low-tide terrace area. There was a slight gain in elevation seaward of this mark by 2008. By 2009, however, the profile changed shape significantly, with complete loss of the well-defined berm (the elevation of the sand at the starting point below the mark on the wall fell by about 50 cm), and flattening of the profile into the offshore. The summer of 2010 saw additional extensive erosion, with additional elevation loss of the sand near the wall, a steepening shorefront, a low berm, and increased erosion in the lower tide area of the profile. In fact, at the 50 m mark, the profile had lost almost 0.7 m vertically, increasing in loss offshore. In This profile has undergone extensive erosion since 2007, with the largest changes occurring in the 2009-2010 seasons.

HI03 = A+ (98)

Figure 11

The 2008 profile (Figure 11) exhibited good growth, especially in the nearshore out to about the 50 m mark, with the development of a large, well-defined berm. In 2009, this berm was eroded landward, and the profile lost sediment along the majority of its shape; however, the dune had built seaward slightly. In 2010, the dune continued to prograde (build seaward), and increased in elevation. A large, well-defined berm formed seaward of the 2008 location, indicating significant accretion. The break in slope to the low-tide area, found near 60 m mark in 2008, also moved seaward. This profile is showing signs of substantial accretion, especially along the dune and upper portion of the berm, in the past few years.

Summer Beach Grade = C (76)

Summer profiles at Higgins Beach typically have shown a small berm. This condition still exists near HI01, but at HI02 the berm has disappeared, consistent with erosion the rest of the profile is experiencing. Massive accretion is occurring at HI03.

Summary

Based on analysis of winter and summer profiles, it appears that Higgins Beach is showing signs of erosion, especially at its middle portion (near HI02). It appears that, since 2009, sand is being eroded from the middle portion of the beach, and moving towards the Spurwink River area. This is noted by the substantial erosion at HI02, and the large amounts of accretion of the dunes and berm at HI03. Summer beach recovery at HI01 near the new seawall appears to be potentially decreased, though this may be due to slow recovery from the 2010 winter storms; however, we are concerned about the potential impact the new seawall may be having on HI01's ability to recover. Comparison of summer profiles from 2011 is important to see if current erosive trends at HI01 and more so HI02 continue.

Overall grade = C- (73)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011