Coogan, J.S., Webb, B.M., Smallegan, S.M., and J.A. Puleo, 2019. “Geomorphic changes measured on Dauphin Island, AL, during Hurricane Nate” Shore & Beach, 87(4), 16-22. http://doi.org/10.34237/1008742
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Geomorphic changes measured on Dauphin Island, AL, during Hurricane Nate
Jeffrey S. Coogan(1), Bret M. Webb*(2), Stephanie M. Smallegan(2), and Jack A. Puleo(3)
1) Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island, AL, USA
2) Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
3) Center for Applied Coastal Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
*Corresponding author: Bret M. Webb, bwebb@southalabama.edu
Abstract
Storm surge and waves from Hurricane Nate in 2017 resulted in large overwash and inundation regions on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The overwash event consisted of the transport of water and sediment over the beach, dune, and barrier island system. Seven transects were established to measure pre- and post-storm survey profiles. Nine wave and water level sensors were deployed in an overwash region and captured the overwash conditions including time-varying water levels and waves. All transects experienced a net loss of sediment from the subaerial region surveyed and a range of inundation and sediment overwash. The results highlight the limits of empirical estimates for evaluating the exposure of backdune regions to overwash and inundation.