Erosion is not just a problem along our ocean shorelines; research in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine system indicates erosion is a problem facing the sounds and other coastal water bodies of NC.  Work by researchers at ECU (Lisa Cowart, J.P. Walsh and Reide Corbett) in the region around the Neuse River estuarine (see 3-D map at right) has shown the average shoreline erosion from 1958-1998 was about 1 ft/y (0.25 m/y) and locally was much higher (see shoreline change map below).  The relentless wave attack during windy days and strong storms (e.g., hurricanes) batters vegetated and hardened shorelines alike (see images below).   With sea-level rise and possibly enhanced storm activity, there is potential for estuarine shoreline to be enhanced.  Learn more from a recent report: Estuarine Shoreline Erosion Report.

Shown at left is a video illustrating wave attack along the back-barrier marshes of the Outer Banks.  The waves in the video are only about 1 ft high.  Waves can be much higher during storms (>4 ft).  Check out the recent waves in Albemarle Sound by clicking here.

Waves during hurricanes and nor'easters batter the shoreline and any structures along it.  The image from Hurricane Ophelia (2005) shown at right highlights the erosion and damage potential of relentless wave attack.

Are the shorelines of our estuaries eroding?

Generally speaking, Yes.  But, the map below shows, shorelines are not eroding everywhere in the Neuse River Estuary.  In places where the distance of open water in front of a shoreline (i.e., the fetch) exceeds about 1 mile, the potential for generating more powerful waves is increased and shoreline erosion is often observed.  Note, the tributaries (smaller bodies of water entering the Neuse) generally have low erosion or are even experiencing accretion.  In these areas of low to no erosion, shoreline hardening is discouraged.

Shown above are estimates of shoreline change rates from 1958-1998 (Cowart et al., submitted).  These data are overlain on the aerial photographs from 1958 used in the analysis.  Note, most shorelines are eroding (yellow to pink in color).  Rates locally exceed 5 ft per year.