overwash. During a 26-month study along Assateague Island, seven overwash 

 events were recorded. Although backshore deposition occurred during 

 overwash, a slight decrease in volume occurred because of poststorm eolian 

 transport back to the beach (Leatherman 1976). Net seaward transport of 

 overwash deposits by wind was also documented along the Tabusintac barrier 

 system in New Brunswick, Canada (Rosen 1979). 



10. The influence of human activity upon natural beach processes has 

 been a subject of study for many years. One major debate involves the 

 effects of artificial dunes upon storm-induced beach erosion. Some 

 researchers believe that increased turbulence resulting from wave backwash 

 from the dune front results in increased beach erosion. These researchers 

 also believe that an artificial duneline will prevent island-building 

 overwash. Other researchers believe that erosion of artificial dunes during 

 storms nourishes eroding beaches, protecting against more severe beach 

 erosion (Leatherman 1981). Other human activities influencing natural storm 

 processes include the formation of overwash channels at locations of beach 

 access cuts through the duneline which occurred along the eastern portion of 

 Galveston Island, Texas, during Hurricane Alicia (Dupre 1985). Although 

 groins are often used to stabilize beaches, during severe storms they may 

 promote localized erosion and overwash, as shown in Figures A3a and b (US 

 Army Engineer District, New Orleans 1965). 



Selected Bibliography on Overwash 



11. The following bibliography of overwash literature includes 21 

 abstracts (or summaries) selected from a review of over 100 overwash 

 publications. Dozens of articles were excluded because of minor subject 

 coverage and space limitations. Only reports which are particularly 

 historically important or those which discuss significant qualitative or 

 quantitative analysis are included. 



Andrews, P. B. 1970. "Facies and Genesis of a Hurricane-Washover Fan, St. 

 Joseph Island, Central Texas Coast," Report No. 67, Texas Bureau of Economic 

 Geology, Austin, Tex. 



Washover fans are subaerial coastal landforms, semicircular in map view, 

 and wedge-shaped in cross section. They form on the bayside of many barrier 

 islands along the Texas Gulf Coast. Washover fans are composed largely of 



A5 



