median volume loss of only -5.6 m-^/ra. This event did cause the greatest 

 range of change on the beach (from -11.5 m-^/m at profile line 2 to 13.6 m^/m 

 at profile line 8). 



Westhampton Beach, New York 



34. Westhampton Beach is part of a barrier island complex on the south 

 shore of Long Island, N.Y. (Figure 9). It is bordered by Shinnecock Inlet to 

 the east and Moriches Inlet to the west. Shinnecock and Moriches Bays 

 separate it from Long Island. Because of its shoreline orientation of N70 

 degrees E, it is most affected by storms approaching from the southeast. Net 

 longshore transport is to the west at an estimated rate of 230,000 m^/year 

 (DeWall 1979). 



35. The width of the beach averaged between 75 and 100 m from the 

 frontal dune to the shoreline. A well-developed dune system runs the length 

 of the island with crest elevations between 4.6 and 7.6 m. Several attempts 

 have been made to stabilize the beach and to maintain the dunes. Twin 

 jetties were built at both inlets with revetments along the western shore of 

 each inlet. After major storms, several dune construction and beachfill 

 efforts were initiated to restore the beach. Between 1965 and 1967, 15 

 groins were constructed to further stabilize the beach. Eleven of these 

 groins are located between profile lines 6 and 9. 



36. The data from Westhampton Beach indicated that it was prone to 

 storm erosion. Overall, median change for the four storms was -19.2 m^/m, 

 second only to Nauset Beach. The greatest changes occurred low on the beach 

 between the 0- and 2-m contours. As a result the shoreline tended to recede, 

 median shoreline movement was -2.1 m, and foreshore slope changes were 

 negligible. Except for the 18 March 1973 storm, the groin field between 

 profile lines 6 and 9 tended to reduce erosion. Median change for profile 

 lines 6 through 9 was -11.4 m^/m, 40 percent less than the overall median 

 loss. 



37. The largest single change (-48.9 m^/m) occurred at profile line 6, 

 which was located within the groin field during the 18 March 1973 storm; 

 however, the 19 February 1972 storm produced the most significant changes 

 along the entire locality. Median volume change was -22.8 m-'/m with an 

 extreme loss of -40.0 m^/m. The range in variation was fairly small (-1.1 to 



22 



