State of Maine's Beaches in 2009

Kinney Shores, Saco

Two beach profiles (KS01, KS02, Figure 26) were available for comparison of pre-storm profile shape and post-Patriots' Day Storm impacts. Beach profile data were available from March 31, 2006, April 22, 2007 (immediately post-storm), March 6, 2008, and March 16, 2009.

KS01 = C

Figure 27

The Patriots' Day storm eroded between 15-50 cm of sediment along the entire profile at KS01, leaving an evident but much lower berm structure about 20 m from the pin (Figure 27). By March of 2008, the upper portion of the profile underwent very good recovery, however lower portions still retained the immediate post-storm shape from about 20 m and seaward. By March 2009, the upper part of the profile had recovered to pre-storm elevations, aside from the dune height at the start of the pin. However, from about 20 m seaward, it remained up to about 50 cm lower than the 2006 pre-storm profile. Some of the variation in beach height around the 20 m distance may be a consequence of the changing shape of beach cusps (a curved seaward edge of the berm or dry beach). Photographic documentation of the beach by the volunteer team shows all spring months have beach cusps present. These cusps vary considerably in size - both in wavelength along the shoreline and height - over time so some of the lack of recovery may be due to the position of the profile line across a horn or embayment of a beach cusp. Overall, the profile may need more time to fully recover.

KS02 = A-

Figure 28

At KS02, the storm dramatically eroded the pre-storm profile along its entire length, including the dunes, berm, and lower beach (Figure 28). By 2008, recovery of the upper berm and dune portion had begun, but little recovery was evident from about 30 m seaward. Additional beach, berm, and dune recovery occurred between 10 and 55 m from the pin by the March, 2009 profile. Although extensive recovery did occur, the profile never reached the pre-storm shape in its upper or lower portion - it is possible that more recovery time is necessary for the profile to potentially recover to pre-storm conditions.

Summary

Although the Kinney Shores beach profiles underwent noted recovery, they underwent significant erosion during the storm, and it appears that the profiles may need more time to fully recover (especially KS01). This slower response may be due to a lack of readily available sediment from erosion-prone up-drift beaches to the south.

Overall grade = B

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References

Last updated on November 19, 2009