41-3 Multi-year Lake Level Variation and Storm Frequency Control Barrier Spit Position in Lake Erie, Ohio

Session: Paleontology, Stratigraphy, Sediments, and Soils (Posters)

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Abstract:

The Sheldon Marsh barrier spit in southwestern Lake Erie protects biologically diverse aquatic habitats from the high-energy open water waves of Lake Erie. In the 20^th century, this barrier underwent transgression due to engineered structures that limit littoral sediment delivery to the barrier. This study investigates how multi-year lake level and storm frequency influence the transgressive and regressive behavior of the Sheldon Marsh barrier spit since 1997. Changes in barrier position were determined using biennial beach profiles, aerial photography, and GPS depositional environment mapping. Hourly wind, wave height, and lake level data from NOAA stations were used to determine the time, magnitude, and duration of storm induced seiche setup events at Sheldon Marsh. Strong winds from the northeast have the greatest fetch and potential to cause erosion at the site. From 1999 to 2015 lake level remained at or below the 106-year-long annual average. During this sixteen-year period, storms were infrequent with the exception of 2004 and 2005. Under these conditions, the shoreline remained stable and the dune increased in size because vegetation expanded onto the berm top resulting in the lakeward movement of the dune ramp. In 2015 lake level began to rise, reaching the record high in 2019, and remained high until 2020. During this time storm frequency and intensity increased. 2015 and 2018 were two of the stormiest years having high magnitude and long duration seiche events. These conditions caused the barrier to transgress and erode the dune width by about half. From 2020 to 2024 lake level fell but remained above the 106-year-long average. Frequent high magnitude and long duration storms occurred in 2021 and 2023. During this period, the shoreline regressed, and dune grasses expanded onto the berm top resulting in minor dune ramp accretion. This study documents how a sediment-limited barrier spit responds to changes in multi-year lake level and storm frequency. The sixteen-year period of low lake level and infrequent storms allowed a well-developed dune to form which provided a buffer to overwash when lake level rose to record high in 2019. In the future, should lake level and storm frequency increase, today’s reduced dune will provide less protection against overwash.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 1, 2026

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026SE-12330

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