Multi-Decadal Analysis of Beach Profile Response to Permanent Sand Bypassing

Abstract

Few long-term monitoring studies of the effect of sand bypassing on the total beach profile have been conducted. This paper presents an analysis of over 40 years of beach survey data, much of it extending beyond the depth of closure, to assess the impact of sand bypassing and beach nourishment on five coastal sections along a 7 km of the southern Gold Coast on the eastern coast of Australia. Estimates of the volume of upper beach profiles are traditionally used for beach nourishment design and several campaigns have taken place in the region of this study prior to the establishment of the permanent bypass. By extending the analysis of beach volumes beyond the depth of closure, we elucidate the long term evolution of the nearshore due to longshore transport, which is not as evident using surveys limited to the upper beach.