PART VI: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 



198. This is the third and final report in a series of shoreline change 

 studies undertaken cooperatively between NOS and CERC. Additional funding for 

 map production was provided by the Division of Research and Statistical 

 Services of the State of South Carolina. All survey data reduction, quality 

 control, and publication of shoreline change maps were performed by NOS; data 

 analysis and preparation of this report were completed by CERC. The study 

 area comprises the northern coast of Tybee Island, Georgia, the entire 

 coastline of South Carolina, and the contiguous coastline of North Carolina to 

 Cape Fear (Figure 1) . Changes in ocean shoreline position were evaluated from 

 1851 to 1983 using survey data from NOS. 



199. Shoreline change maps, Tybee Island, Georgia, to Cape Fear, North 

 Carolina, are included as a separate enclosure to this report. Thirty- two 



1 : 24,000-scale USGS quadrangles were selected as base maps for this project. 

 They were revised with 1: 24,000-scale color aerial photography taken in 

 1982/83. Historical data obtained from NOS topographic surveys were compiled, 

 rectified, and transferred to the base maps. The final composite shoreline 

 position maps were used by CERC to evaluate shoreline changes within the study 

 area. 



200. Using a digitizing procedure, average and maximum net shoreline 

 change was quantified every 50 m along the open coast. Shoreline change rates 

 are presented in graphical form at 50 -m intervals and have been summarized in 

 tabular and graphical format for various along-the-coast intervals. Shoreline 

 change data were compared with various environmental factors to evaluate 

 causes for observed changes and to predict shoreline change rates for future 

 years. The following characteristics of shoreline change within the study 

 area can be concluded from this study: 



a. During every time interval examined, spatial distribution of 

 shoreline change varied greatly. Mainland beaches of the 

 arcuate strand geomorphic zone were least variable and had 

 lowest shoreline change rates. Barrier island beaches were 

 most variable spatially and had highest change rates. 



b. Spatial variability in shoreline change rates was influenced 

 most by proximity to inlets. Shoreline change rates were 

 largest and most variable immediately adjacent to inlets and 

 decreased with distance from any inlet. Coastline centrally 

 located between inlets had least variability and lowest 



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