State of Maine's Beaches in 2009

Scarborough Beach, Scarborough

Four beach profiles (SC01 to SC04, Figure 12) were available for comparison of pre-storm profile shape and post-Patriots' Day Storm impacts. Stakes at SC02-SC03 were lost after the Patriots' Day Storm and relocated in the approximate area of the previous stakes. Beach profile data were available from April 3, 2006, April 21 and 24, 2007 (immediately post-storm), April 14, 2008, and May 3, 2009.

SC01 = C+

Figure 13

The pre-storm profile at SC01 (Figure 13) was dramatically impacted by the Patriots' Day Storm, with the post-storm profile exhibiting the loss of approximately 1 m of sediment along the profile, from about 25 m along the profile in a seaward direction. The loss of volume along the profile was astounding - review of data sheets indicates that the starting pin for SC01 was not lost in the storm. By 2008, the beach profile had gained slight sediment along its length, mostly at the berm. The 2009 profile indicated some loss from the slight recovery that occurred in 2008. Although the profile never neared the pre-storm shape in terms of recovery, it did show some stability and slight recovery from the storm.

SC02 = B

Figure 14

Profile SC02 (Figure 14) lost between 25-50 cm of sediment along its length, based on comparison between the pre- and post-storm profiles from 2006 and 2007, especially in the offshore portion of the profile. Recovery was noted along the upper portion of the profile - between 10 and 50 m from the pin in 2008 (berm), though the offshore portion underwent little change. The upper portion of the 2008 profile matches that of the 2006 pre-storm profile, but there is less recovery in the offshore. Notes from the volunteers state that the pin was lost in 2009 and reset in May 2009, so it is difficult to use the 2009 data for comparison. However, it appears that the profile underwent some additional loss between 2008 and 2009. The profile did recover in its nearshore portion, out to about 40 m; seaward of this, additional loss has occurred.

SC03 = C

Figure 15

According to volunteer notes, the profile starting pin at SC03 (Figure 15) was lost during the Patriots' Day Storm. The pre-storm 2006 profile, which was slightly concave, was eroded along its nearshore and offshore portions, with the formation of a bar immediately post-storm. A new pin position was located in March 2008 - this is likely the cause of the dramatic difference in the starting point elevation from the post-storm 2007 profile and the 2008 profile. The May 2009 profile has an erosive shape, and actually shows additional erosion below the immediate post-storm profile at several locations. Based on this data, SC03 is showing some signs of recovery.

SC04 = C

Figure 16

SC04 (Figure 16) lost incredible amounts of sediment and elevation along its length in response to the storm - close to a full meter. The profile dramatically recovered by 2008 to near pre-storm conditions, even maintaining a similar overall shape to the pre-storm profile. However, by 2009, the profile had been eroded back to near the post-storm 2007 shape. This was likely due to a series of storms in mid April and early May 2009. The dramatic variation in shape may indicate SC04's response to storm events. Recovery has occurred slightly, but the highly variable nature gives this site a conditional grade of C.

Summary

Scarborough Beach has undergone stability to slight recovery from the Patriots' Day Storm. It appears that the profiles are highly susceptible to storms and can vary dramatically in response.

Overall grade = C+

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References

Last updated on November 19, 2009