State of Maine's Beaches in 2009

Goochs Beach and Middle Beach, Kennebunk

Three of four beach profiles (GO02 to GO04, Figure 39) were available for comparison of pre-storm profile shape and post-Patriots' Day Storm impacts. Profile GO01 was lost during the storm, and profiling was not resumed until June 2007 at this point - for this point, we use the June 2007 profile for comparison. Beach profile data were available from April 1, 2006, April 22 and June 25, 2007 (immediately post-storm), April 13, 2008, and April 4, 2009.

GO01 = A

Figure 40

It appears that the starting pin at GO01 (southwest end of the beach) was lost in the Patriots' Day Storm, as data were not recorded for April 2007, but in June 2007 instead (Figure 40). The post-storm June profile displays a steep nearshore, and large berm/bar structure near the 10 m mark. In comparing post-storm profiles, it is evident that very good recovery occurred, as the 2008 and 2009 beach profiles all show a much healthier, more voluminous beach and berm than the June 2007 profile.

GO02 = A

Figure 41

At GO02, which is somewhat centrally located along the beach, it is clear that the storm led to dramatic loss of sediment along the entire profile (Figure 41). The 2006 beach profile was flattened and sediment lost from the entire profile. However, by 2008, good recovery from the storm was noted, though it did not reach the pre-storm conditions. By 2009, the beach appeared to have fully recovered.

GO03 = B

Figure 42

The GO03 post-storm profile showed lowering of the beach elevation by about 20 cm, consistently along the length of the profile, when compared with the pre-storm profile (Figure 42). In 2008 and 2009, the profile exhibited slight gradual recovery along its length, with slight increases in profile elevation at its nearshore portion.

GO04 = C

Figure 43

Profile GO04, located along Middle Beach, showed consistent loss of sand and cobble elevation between 2006 and the post-storm 2007 profile (Figure 43). In 2008, the upper berm portion of the profile markedly grew. However, the profile exhibited steepening in the offshore, and seaward of about 12 m, was actually steeper than the 2007 post-storm profile. The 2009 profile maintained this shape. Although the upper portion of the profile appears to have gained elevation, the lower profile actually has lost significant elevation and sediment since the 2007 storm, leading to a cautionary grade.

Summary

Recovery at Gooch's Beach appears to be occurring very well, though Middle Beach appears to be struggling to recover from the impacts of the Patriots' Day Storm.

Overall grade = B

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References

Last updated on November 19, 2009