State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit

Along Ogunquit Beach, there are four beach profiles (OG01 to OG04, Figure 89). They are spread along a short stretch of the northern portion of the beach, from north to south. However, no data from 2010 or 2011 was available via the Shore Stewards website for OG01. No data was available from 2009, 2010, or 2011 for OG03 or OG04. Therefore, the review is limited to changes only at OG02.

Winter Profile Changes

OG02 = D (65)

Figure 90

Profile OG02 is located near the wastewater treatment plant at the northern end of the beach. This profile received a C in the last assessment (with analysis through 2008 only). Interestingly, the 2007 beach profile (Figure 90) appeared to have the highest elevation of sand on the beach out to the low water mark. In 2008, the upper portion of the profile (40 m landward) either remained stable, or had gained elevation, especially nearest the starting stake. Offshore, however, seaward of the 40 m mark, the 2008 profile lost elevation, and remained below the 2007 post-storm profile. In 2009, the dune appears to have been eroded significantly, losing elevation near the starting pin, at the dune crest, at the berm, and along the entire profile. This erosion continued in 2010, with additional loss of the berm, steepening of the profile, and loss of elevation offshore. However, the dune crest appears to have stabilized. In 2011, the dune crest appears to have stayed stable, and the berm and lower portions of the profile recovered to about 2009 profile elevations. However, this profile is showing signs of continuous erosion, with only slight recovery in 2011.

Summer Profile Changes

OG02 = D (65)

Figure 91

In terms of summer changes, profile OG02 (Figure 91) has been showing gradual erosion. Again, the post 2007 storm summer profile, similar to the winter profile, had the highest elevation of sand on the beach, and the highest dune crest. By summer 2008, the dune crest appears to have lowered substantially, but the profile remained stable in the offshore. In the 2009 (recorded in December, the only profile available), the dune crest lost additional elevation, and the entire profile lost elevation along its length. In July 2010, the dune crest remained stable, but the profile steepened. Some sand returned to the profile in the form of a series of evident swash bars, located at about 40 m and 90 m from the starting point. Although it showed some stability in 2009-2010, this profile is showing extensive signs of erosion, with substantial lowering of dune elevation, berm, and profile elevation since 2008. Comparison with summer 2011 profiles will help determine if this erosive trend is continuing.

Summary

At Ogunquit Beach, it is difficult to come to general conclusions based on a single profile along such a long stretch of beach. However, based on analysis of a single profile (OG02), extensive, continued erosion of the dune, berm, and lower portions of the profile are occurring. Some recovery was noted in the spring 2011 and summer 2010 profile, but the overall trend is erosion. Beach profiling needs to be restarted at the other profile points to get a better understanding of the changes. We also recommend that the beach profile starting locations be spread along the beach to get a better representation of beach changes.

Overall grade = D (65)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011