Introduction
Narragansett Bay is an important resource for tourism, recreation, fishing, manufacturing, maritime transportation, shipbuilding, and defense (Oakley et al. 2012). It is a micro-tidal estuary located in the eastern Rhode Island and the southeastern Massachusetts. Over the years, erosion has been prevalent, as depicted by a sudden, dramatic change in the shape of the beaches. Much of this erosion is attributed to human activities. In fact, People are directly responsible for the erosion problems. Instead of protecting the beaches, people have engaged in various activities that continue to degrade the beaches (Oakley et al. 2012). Such activities include constructing buildings near the beaches. This paper highlights the causes and dangers of beach erosion, and discusses the possible ways of solving the beach erosion problems. From the findings; it can be stated, without any fear of contradiction, that beaches should be protected against erosion.
Causes of erosion (Elemental)
Erosion occurs in nearly all beaches, and the Narragansett Bay beaches are not an exception. Beach erosions are normally elemental; resulting from waves and wind. Human activities, such as development of waterfront property, significantly contribute towards beach erosion. Storms are the biggest causes of erosion in Narragansett beaches, and the amount of erosion depends on the number, intensity and duration of the storms (Erosion Fact Sheet).
Global warming also contributes greatly towards beach erosion. Human beings are entirely responsible for greenhouse warming which directly accelerates the rate of sea-level rise. With increase in sea level, coastal erosion increases significantly.
Dangers of beach erosion
Beaches normally offer protection against the ocean waves. They provide a barrier between the coastal properties and the waves. During storms, beaches are cut back. They gradually lose their buffering (protective) ability and expose the region for further erosion. Due to beach erosion, properties become vulnerable to destruction by the storms. This can cause damage to life and property. Considering the case of Matunuck Beach Road (News staff 2012), erosion could adversely damage the road. This would threaten the access to the residents and endanger the water pipe that serves the area. Beach erosion also impacts adversely on benthic habitats (Oakley et al. 2012). Hurricanes pose greatest risk to population and property. The Hurricane of 1938 killed people, washed away cars, and destroyed buildings and bridges (Erosion Fact Sheet)
Heavy rains increase the rate of coastal erosion. It also raises the sea level. With high sea level, there is greater shoreline retreat and property destruction. Saltwater can also intrude into rivers, bays, and underground water resources. A rise in sea-level can also elevate the water table. This can lead to a failure of drainage systems, including the septic systems and storm drains. With heavy rains, there are high risks of flooding.
Ways in solving beach erosion problems
Safety of both life and property is a concern of everyone. It is important to avoid the existing hazards as much as possible. The potential hazards should, as well, be avoided.
One of the ways of solving the beach erosion problems is by preserving, enhancing, or reconstructing dune systems. Dunes have a reservoir of sand which is released during storms. This provides a natural shield from the storm damage (Slovinsky 2011), especially in areas with moderate or low erosion. Dunes are normally dynamic, and with time, they move (erode) landward. Building wider or taller dunes can significantly increase protection, especially in areas with long-term rates of erosion.
When vegetation is planted on dunes, sand is trapped and the dune gets stabilized. This is very significant in minimizing beach erosion problems. The planted vegetation should be native to that particular coastal system (Slovinsky 2011).
Beach replenishment also helps in solving the erosion problems. This is the process of replacing the eroded areas with sand (Slovinsky 2011). New seawalls can be constructed along the beaches and dunes. Fixes can also be made on the existing seawalls for further protection. If the beach and the seawall are damaged after the erosion, it may be necessary to repair or replace them.
Structures should be designed and built appropriately. Appropriate construction techniques should be adopted. This includes building support structures and ensuring that the design and building techniques can withstand the hazards. The design should match the demands of the users and still offer the necessary protection.
It is also important to work with the environmentalists in preventing the problems. Various programs are carried out by the environmentalists, with a common aim of saving the beaches. In some cases, environmentalists take a different stand on the protective measures. For instance, CRMC supported the building of a retaining wall along the Matunuck Beach Road to protect it from beach erosion (Salit 2012). Environmentalists, however, rejected the move, arguing that it was harmful to the beach and would redirect erosion further along the shoreline. If people work together with the environmentalists, it becomes much easier to adopt the preventive measures. Such collaborations are important in knowledge sharing and motivation. Collaborations are also important when a regional approach or a common goal is being adopted to mitigate certain hazards (Slovinsky 2011).
Fencing also offers protection against the beach erosion problems. Different types of fences should be erected. Sand or snow fencing helps in trapping the sediments that are adjacent to the dunes. Open fencing limits the foot traffic with sensitive areas such as the dunes, thus ensure their stabilization. Cobble trapping fences can also be erected in areas where there are regular cobble activities.
Another way to avoid the hazards is to build structures far away (landward) as possible (Slovinsky 2011). Additional building in hazardous areas should be avoided at all costs. It is also important to relocate structures from the hazardous areas, to a landward (safer) direction. Sewage water should also be barred from going into the beach.
Works Cited
News staff. “CRMC reconsiders erosion along Matunuck Beach Road.” Providence Journal, April 24, 2012. Web. August 5, 2012. http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/04/south-kingstown-30.html
Oakley, B.A., Alvarez, J.D., and Boothroyd, J.C. “Benthic geologic habitats of shallow estuarine environments: Greenwich Bay and Wickford Harbor, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, U.S.A.” Journal of Coastal Research 28.4 (2012): 760 – 773. Web. August 4, 2012. http://www.jcronline.org/doi/full/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-11-00146.1?prevSearch=narragansett+bay+Beach+erosion&searchHistoryKey=
Rhode Island Sea Grant. “At Risk What Do We Have To Lose?” Erosion Fact Sheet. Web. August 3, 2012. http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/fserosion.html
Salit, R. “CRMC to allow retaining wall along Matunuck Beach Road.” Providence Journal, May 8, 2012. Web. August 5, 2012. http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/05/crmc-votes-on-m.html
Slovinsky, P. A. Maine Coastal Property Owner’s Guide to Erosion, Flooding, and Other Hazards (MSG-TR-11-01). Orono, ME: Maine Sea Grant College Program, 2011. Web. August 4, 2012. http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/files/chg/11SlovinskyCHG.pdf
