State of Maine's Beaches in 2011

Drakes Island Beach, Wells

Four beach profiles (DI01-DI04, Figure 71) were available for analysis. It appears that no profiles were entered in the online database in 2011, so analysis will end with comparison with July 2010 profiles. The profiles are placed from the southwest, near the Webhannet River, to the northeast.

Winter Profile Changes

DI01 = D (65)

Figure 72

DI01, which is located adjacent to the north jetty at the Webhannet River, received an A in the last assessment. The profile underwent extremely good recovery through 2009 (Figure 72), with elevation gains at the dune crest, berm, and out to the low tide area of the profile. However, in 2010, the dune lost elevation by around 40 cm, and the berm and sand gained in 2008 and 2009 was lost. In fact, the 2010 profile was below the immediate post-storm 2007 profile from about 40 m seaward. The profile displayed good recovery through 2009, and unfortunately, it seems the winter of 2010 severely eroded the profile, with little recovery by July of 2010.

DI02 = D (65)

Figure 73

Profile DI02 is located in the central portion of the natural dune to the north of the jetty. It received an A in the last assessment. The 2007 post-storm shape (Figure 73) had a steep slope to an apparent cobble bar formation near the 40 m mark. By 2008, the entire profile underwent accretion, with elevation being gained along the entire length. In 2009, there was some slight erosion of the profile, but it maintained its overall shape, similar to 2008. However, in 2010, the profile underwent loss along its entire length, from the dune out to the end of the profile. The erosion stayed above the 2007 erosional surface out to about 30 m, but then eroded to below the 2007 profile shape offshore. This profile is showing signs of erosion since 2008.

DI03 = D (65)

Figure 74

Profile DI03 is located at a seawall in the main beach entrance at Drakes Island Beach. It received a D in the last assessment. In 2008 (Figure 74), the profile had significantly eroded along its length, losing between 20-50 cm of elevation, and resulting in a profile that was below the 2007 shape. In 2009, the profile recovered slightly, but still stayed below the post-storm profile shape. In 2010, significant recovery appears to have occurred; however, it appears that July 2010 data may have been collected at an arbitrary starting point on the seawall that is inconsistent with the other starting points. Notes indicate "used seawall to start as our front stake". We are unclear if this is the same starting point, or if the profilers simply forgot to measure an accurate starting elevation of the sand below the pin for the stake elevation. Therefore, no comparison can be made with 2010 data. Based on changes through 2009, DI03 will remain as a D.

DI04 = D (65)

Figure 75

DI04 is located farther north along the seawalled portion of the beach, and received a D in the last assessment. Similar to DI03, the profile eroded in 2008 (Figure 75), resulting in the lowest elevations of the profiles compared. By 2009, some recovery had occurred in the offshore, though the upper portion of the profile was still below the 2007 storm shape. In 2010, data appears to be collected from either a different starting point, or collected incorrectly, as it shows a profile shape that is inconsistent with the profiles from previous years. Notes indicate "used private stairs as front starting location". We are unclear if this is the same starting point, or if the profilers simply forgot to measure an accurate starting elevation of the sand below the pin for the stake elevation. Therefore, no comparison can be made with 2010 data. Based on changes through 2009, DI04 will remain as a D.

Winter Beach Grade = D (65)

The winter profiles at Drakes Island Beach appear to all be undergoing signs of erosion over the period of 2007-2010. It is impossible to compare data at DI03 and DI04 since it appears that the profile location may have moved. Profiling at this beach should be reinstated on a monthly basis in order to provide a good analysis of how the beach is faring.

Summer Profile Changes

DI01 = D (65)

Figure 76

The summer post-storm profile of 2007 (Figure 76) showed a small dune and little berm, and a steep slope to the low tide area. In 2008, the dune appeared to stay roughly the same, and a small berm appeared, gaining in elevation slightly over the 2007 shape from about 20 m to 70 m offshore. However, the summer beach underwent extremely good recovery through 2009, with elevation gains at the dune crest, berm, and out to the low tide area of the profile. In the summer of 2010, the dune roded back to 2007 elevations, and the berm and all sand elevations gained were lost. Seaward of about 40 m, the 2010 profile was the lowest recorded, indicating large erosion of the nearshore. When data becomes available, the summer profile from 2011 should be compared with 2010 shape to see if recovery has occurred, or if this erosive trend continued into 2011.

DI02 = D (65)

Figure 77

Similar to DI01, the summer shape at DI02 (Figure 77) underwent berm growth and recovery in 2008 and 2009, but saw significant erosion by the summer of 2010 at the dune, berm, and out to the low tide area. Elevation losses at the 40 m mark were near 80 cm, and about 1 m at the 60 m and 80 m marks. This summer shape is clearly eroding; the 2011 summer profile should be used for comparison in the future to see if the beach has recovered from 2010, or is continuing to erode.

DI03 = D (65)

Figure 78

The summer shape at DI03 (Figure 78) showed additional loss in elevation along the entire profile in 2008, with slight recovery in 2009, but still below the summer 2007 profile shape. In 2010, significant recovery appears to have occurred; however, it appears that July 2010 data may have been collected at an arbitrary starting point on the seawall that is inconsistent with the other starting points. Notes indicate "used seawall to start as our front stake". We are unclear if this is the same starting point, or if the profilers simply forgot to measure an accurate starting elevation of the sand below the pin for the stake elevation. Therefore, no comparison can be made with 2010 data. Based on the trend from 2007-2009, this profile is eroding. Profiling should resume in 2011 for additional comparison.

DI04 = B+ (88)

Figure 79

DI04 showed slight recovery by the summer of 2008 (Figure 79), with small elevation gains along the majority of the profile. In 2009, a small berm developed (near the 20 m mark), and the upper and lower portions of the profile gained sediment. In 2010, data appears to be collected from either a different starting point, or collected incorrectly, as it shows a profile shape that is inconsistent with the profiles from previous years. Notes indicate "used private stairs as front starting location". We are unclear if this is the same starting point, or if the profilers simply forgot to measure an accurate starting elevation of the sand below the pin for the stake elevation. Therefore, no comparison can be made with 2010 data. Based on the trend from 2007-2009, this profile is showing some signs of stability and growth. Profiling should resume in 2011 for additional comparison.

Summer Beach Grade = C- (71)

Similar to the winter profiles, the summer shapes at Drakes Island do not appear to be fairing well. Erosion appears to be occurring at each of the profiles except for DI04, which appears to be showing signs of relatively good stability.

Summary

Overall, Drakes Island Beach is showing definitive signs of erosion, in both its summer and winter profile shapes. Even profiles nearest the Webhannet River Jetties (DI01 and DI02) are showing signs of erosion. Newer data needs to made available and looked at for better analysis (past July 2010) in order to see how the beach is doing in 2011.

Overall grade = D+ (68)

Contents Introduction Beach Responses Discussion Conclusions References Appendix

Last updated on July 14, 2011