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2013-14 Massachusetts Lidar-Derived Dune Toe Point Data

Dates

Publication Date
Start Date
2013-11-16
End Date
2014-12-27

Citation

Weber, K.M., 2018, Dune metrics for the Massachusetts coast as derived from 2013-14 topographic lidar data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P970QVB1.

Summary

This data release of dune metrics for the Massachusetts coast is part of a 2018 update to the Massachusetts Shoreline Change Project. Because of continued coastal population growth and the increased threat of coastal erosion, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) launched the Shoreline Change Project in 1989 to identify erosion-prone areas of the coast. Maps of historic shoreline locations from the mid-1800s to 1978 were produced from multiple data sources, and in 2001, a 1994 shoreline was added to enable the calculation of long- and short-term shoreline change rates. In 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with CZM, delineated an additional oceanfront shoreline using 2007 topographic lidar data [...]

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Attached Files

Click on title to download individual files attached to this item.

MA_2013_2014_DuneMetrics_BrowseGraphic.png
“Dune crest and toe points and a beach profile near Chatham, MA.”
thumbnail 713.41 KB image/png
MA_2013_2014_DuneToe.zip
“Data in shapefile and csv formats, browse graphic, and metadata.”
2.57 MB application/zip

Purpose

This dataset provides the elevation and position of the crest and toe of the most seaward dune along the Massachusetts coast. Dune crest and toe elevation data are essential parameters for determining the vulnerability of coastal areas from storms. Dune crest elevation is used as a threshold for determining the probability of overwash and inundation due to waves and storm surge. Dune toe elevation is used to determine the probability of collision (erosion of the base of the dune), and dune toe location allows for the calculation of both beach width and beach slope.

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