5-10 Erosion Consequences of Abandoned Man-Made Beaches

Session: Nearshore and Estuarine Research: Dynamics and Future Resiliency in the Coastal Zone (Posters)

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Abstract:

The Blackstone Valley was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America. The environmental consequences of rampant industrialization continue to affect the valley in numerous long standing ways. One of the largest impacts has been the creation of thousands of reservoirs and dams that provided water for long-abandoned mills, and drinking water for the growing population. Meadow Pond is a man-made reservoir in south central Massachusetts, right in the heart of the valley. The area that is now the pond was once a low-lying farm field with a stream crossing through the middle. It includes an abandoned beach that used to have sand regularly deposited for the summer season. This sand is located on a steep slope and erodes into the pond during rain/snow events. Over six weeks during the winter melt, we endeavored to measure rates of erosion from the beach into the pond. 25 PVC stakes were driven into the beach spaced 2 meters apart in a 5x5 grid. Each week sand height relative to the top of the stake was measured.Using historical maps, we also visualize changes in the bathymetry of the pond over the course of 8 years from 2017-2025. Current bathymetry was gathered using a Lowrance fishing sonar fastened to a row boat with a trolling motor. Data from both studies was compiled and analyzed using ArcGIS. Small but clear changes in the beach topography were observed over the study period as well as pond bathymetry surrounding the beach. These results provide some insight into the geological effects of artificial sand deposition over time on both the land surface as well as pond floor. These results also highlight the issues created by man-made ecosystems long term. Future investigations will compare erosion rates at the abandoned beach to those of nearby less-modified shoreline.

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