Bluff shoreline erosion processes and development vulnerability in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Keywords: Bluff shorelines, estuaries, storms, remote sensing, change detection, survey research
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Estuarine bluff shorelines are attractive sites for development due to their high relief and recreational resources. Despite this, these dynamic landforms are dominated by erosional processes, and their ability to withstand storms is not well understood. In this study, we aim to prompt estuarine shoreline communities to consider the best actions needed to adapt to bluff erosion. We examine the processes that lead to bluff erosion, quantify erosion between 2014 and 2020 using LiDAR and aerial imagery (a period that encompasses Hurricane Florence in 2018), and document vulnerability through the interaction between residents and natural processes. Data from our wind and wave sensor network show that the estuary’s wave conditions are dependent on the local wind regime and the geography of the estuary. This aligns with the shoreline changes observed between 2014 and 2020, where the south shore experienced the greatest net volume loss of ~39,400 m3. The majority of the 81 residents who responded to our mail-out mail-back survey were very concerned about bluff erosion and many have taken some action to protect their shorelines. The results of this study highlight the importance of storms as a driver of bluff erosion in the Neuse River Estuary and have implications for better understanding the resiliency of these high-relief landforms to storms. This work helps to enhance knowledge-based decision-making regarding erosional issues to increase the resiliency of estuarine bluff shorelines.