**DROWNING THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST: SEA-LEVEL RISE AND ESTUARINE
SHORELINE EROSION**

**By:**

## STANLEY R. RIGGS and DOROTHEA V. AMES

**Department of Geology**

**East Carolina University**

**Greenville, NC 27858**

**Submitted To:**

**NORTH CAROLINA**

**DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES**

### DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT

**225 NORTH McDOWELL ST.**

**RALEIGH, NC 27602**

### and 

**NORTH CAROLINA SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM**

**NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY**

**100 B 1911 BUILDING**

**RALEIGH, NC 27695-8605**

MAY 5, 2003

# **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

[PAGE]{.underline}

**LIST OF TABLES**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
4

**LIST OF FIGURES**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 5

**ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 13

## DISCLAIMER \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 14

**1. INTRODUCTION
\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....**\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 15

1.1. THE COASTAL DILEMMA
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 15

1.2. THE ESTUARINE SHORELINE
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 18

1.3. CONCLUSIONS
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 19

**2. GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK OF THE NORTH CAROLINA**

**COASTAL SYSTEM**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 19

2.1. PHYSICAL SETTING OF COASTAL SYSTEM
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 19

2.2. NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PROVINCES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 28

2.3. GEOLOGIC CONTROLS OF COASTAL PROVINCES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 28

2.3.A. Southern Coastal Province \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 28

2.3.B. Northern Coastal Province \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 31

2.3.C. Consequences of the Geologic Differences \...\...\...\... 31

2.4. SHORELINES AND STORMS
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 32

> 2.4.A. The Flow of Energy
> \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 32 2.4.B. Role of
> Barrier Islands and Their
>
> Inlet/Outlet Systems \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 33
>
> 2.4.C. Role of Paleotopography in Estuarine Dynamics \...\.... 33

**3. CHARACTER OF DROWNED-RIVER ESTUARINES** \...\...\...\...\...\.....
34

3.1. TYPES OF ESTUARINE BASINS
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 34

3.2. THE ESTUARINE BASINS
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 34

3.2.A. Basin Morphology \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
34

3.2.B. Basin Sediments \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
44

3.3. BACK-BARRIER SOUNDS
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 47

3.3.A. Back-Barrier Sounds of the Northern Province \...\..... 47

3.3.B. Back-Barrier Sounds of the Southern Province \...\..... 50

3.4. TRUNK ESTUARIES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 51

3.4.A. Trunk Estuaries of the Northern Province \...\...\...\... 51

3.4.B. Trunk Estuaries of the Southern Province \...\...\...\... 60

3.5. TRIBUTARY ESTUARIES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 61

**4. TYPES OF ESTUARINE SHORELINES**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 61

4.1. SHORELINE TYPES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 61

4.2. SEDIMENT-BANK SHORELINES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 61

4.2.A. General Characteristics \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 62

4.2.B. Strandplain Beaches \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
65

4.3. ORGANIC SHORELINES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 72

4.3.A. Swamp-Forest Shorelines \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 72

4.3.B. Marsh Shorelines \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
79

4.4. COMBINATION SHORELINES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 88

4.5. BACK-BARRIER SHORELINES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 91

4.5.A. Overwash Barrier Islands \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 91

4.5.B. Complex Barrier Islands \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 96

[PAGE]{.underline}

**5. ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION PROCESSES** \...\...\...\...\... \.....
101

5.1. SHORELINE EROSION VARIABLES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 101

5.1.A. Physical Setting of Coastal Segments \...\...\...\...\.... 101

5.1.B. Fringing Vegetation \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
101

5.1.C. Boats and Shoreline Erosion \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 103

> 5.2. STORMS, STORM TIDES, AND COASTAL EROSION
> \...\...\...\...\...\.... 103
>
> 5.2.A. Storms and Coastal Erosion \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
> 103

5.2.B. Storm Tides in Northern Province Estuaries \...\...\.... 103

5.2.C. Hurricane Storm Tides \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
107

5.2.D. Storm Tides in Southern Province Estuaries \...\...\.... 108

6.  **MAJOR CAUSE OF ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION** \...\...\...\.....
    109

    1.  SEA-LEVEL CHANGE AND COASTAL DYNAMICS
        \...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 109

    2.  QUATERNARY PERIOD OF GLACIATION
        \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 109

        A.  Glaciation-Deglaciation
            \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 109

        B.  The Holocene Interglacial
            \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 110

        C.  The Modern Coastal System and Ongoing Sea-Level Rise . 113

    3.  THE FLOODING PROCESS CONTINUES
        \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 116

        A.  Present Rates of Sea-Level Rise \...\...\...\...\...\...\...
            116

        B.  Future Rates of Sea-Level Rise \...\...\...\...\...\...\....
            116

**7. LONG-TERM ESTUARINE SHORELINE EVOLUTION IN THE NORTH**

**CAROLINA COASTAL SYSTEM**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 126

7.1. SEA-LEVEL RISE AND SHORELINE CHANGE IN CROATAN SOUND \...\..... 126

7.1.A. Historical Drowning of the Coastal System \...\...\..... 126

7.1.B. Shoreline Erosion in Croatan Sound \...\...\...\...\...\... 131

7.1.C. Changes Along the Old Croatan Bridge Corridor \...\... 134

7.1.D. Estimated Shoreline Recession Rates \...\...\...\...\.... 134

7.1.E. Cedar Island Marsh Analog \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
137

7.2. OTHER EVIDENCE OF ESTUARINE EXPANSION
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 137

**8. SHORT-TERM ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION IN**

**NORTH CAROLINA**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 140

8.1. REGIONAL ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION STUDIES \...\...\...\...\....
140

8.1.A. Summary of Former Studies \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
140

8.1.B. Overview of Present Study \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
144

8.2. BACK-BARRIER ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION SITES \...\...\...\.....
147

8.2.A. Summary: Back-Barrier Shorelines \...\...\...\...\...\..... 147

8.2.B. Hatteras Overwash Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
150

8.2.C. Buxton Inlet Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
157

8.2.D. Salvo Day-Use Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
167

8.2.E. Jockey's Ridge and Seven Sisters Dune Fields \...\..... 174

8.2.F. Nags Head Woods Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
185

8.2.G. Duck Field Research Facility \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 190

8.3. MAINLAND ALBEMARLE---PAMLICO SOUND SHORELINE EROSION SITES \....
197

8.3.A. Summary: Mainland Albemarle\--Pamlico Shorelines \..... 197

8.3.B. North Roanoke Island \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
198

8.3.C. Woodard's Marina Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
209

8.3.D. Grapevine Landing Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
217

8.3.E. Point Peter Road Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
222

8.3.F. North Bluff Point Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
229

8.3.G. Swan Quarter Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
236

8.3.H. Lowland Site
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 239

[PAGE]{.underline}

8.4. PAMLICO RIVER SHORELINE EROSION SITES
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 246

8.4.A. Summary: Pamlico River Shorelines \...\...\...\...\...\.... 246

8.4.B. Wades Point Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
248

8.4.C. Hickory Point and Pamlico Marine Lab \...\...\...\...\.... 255

8.4.D. Bayview Site
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 264

8.4.E. Camp Leach Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
269

8.4.F. Mauls Point Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
269

8.4.G. Bay Hills Site \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
274

#### 

**9. CONCLUSIONS**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 288

####  9.1. SYNTHESIS OF ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION DATA \...\...\...\...\... 288

####  9.2. LIVING WITH ESTUARINE SHORELINE EROSION \...\...\...\...\...\...\... 294 

**10. REFERENCES CITED**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 295

# 

# 

# **LIST OF TABLES**

**TABLE 2-3-1.** Coastal characteristics of the Southern and

Northern Provinces of North Carolina result from

differences in the underlying geologic framework.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 32

**TABLE 4-1-1**. Types of shorelines that characterize the

North Carolina estuarine perimeters.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 62

**TABLE 5-1-1.** Definition of major estuarine shoreline

erosion variables.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
102

**TABLE 7-1-1**. Estimated historical shoreline recession

rates along the old bridge corridor in Croatan Sound.
\...\...\...\...\..... 134

# 

**TABLE 8-1-1**. Distribution and abundance of shoreline

types in the estuarine system of northeastern North

Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
141

**TABLE 8-1-2**. Natural and human features that modify

various shoreline types and the erosional and

accretionary status of shorelines in the northeastern

North Carolina estuarine system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 142

**TABLE 8-1-3**. Summary of the average annual rate of

estuarine shoreline erosion for shoreline types in

northeastern North Carolina coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 143

**TABLE 8-2-1**. Summation of short-term estuarine

shoreline erosion rates for back-barrier sites,

northern Outer Banks, based upon the present study.
\...\...\...\...\...\.... 149

**TABLE 8-3-1**. Summation of short-term estuarine

shoreline erosion rates for the Albemarle-Pamlico

estuarine sites based upon the present study.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 198

[PAGE]{.underline}

**TABLE 8-3-2.** Generalized shoreline characteristics along

the north side of Roanoke Island as of 2001.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 199

**TABLE 8-4-1**. Summation of short-term estuarine

shoreline erosion rates for the Pamlico River sites

based upon the present study.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 247

**TABLE 9-1-1.** Summary of estuarine shoreline erosion

data from the back-barrier island study sites of

northeastern North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 288

**TABLE 9-1-2.** Summary of estuarine shoreline erosion

data from the mainland Albemarle\--Pamlico Sound study

sites in northeastern North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 289

**TABLE 9-1-3.** Summary of estuarine shoreline erosion

data from the Pamlico River study sites in

northeastern North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 289

**TABLE 9-1-4.** Average erosion rates for different

shoreline types in northeastern North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 290

**TABLE 9-1-5.** Summary of estuarine shoreline erosion

data in northeastern North Carolina by region.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 292

**TABLE 9-1-6.** Measured and predicted land loss due

to estuarine shoreline erosion in northeastern

North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
293

# **LIST OF FIGURES**

**FIGURE 1-1-1.** Map and photo series showing the

demise of Batts Island at the mouth of the Yeopim

River in Albemarle Sound.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 16

**FIGURE 2-1-1.** Location map of the physiographic

provinces and drainage basins that interact to

produce the vast North Carolina coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 20

**FIGURE 2-1-2.** Location map of major coastal features

for the North Carolina coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 22

**FIGURE 2-1-3.** 1999 satellite image of northeastern

North Carolina coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 24

**FIGURE 2-1-4.** 1996 false color satellite image of

southeastern North Carolina coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 26

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 2-2-1.** Generalized geologic map of the North

Carolina Coastal Plain showing the two coastal provinces

and four geomorphic compartments of the coastal system.
\...\...\...\...\.... 29

**FIGURE 3-2-1.** Map of the Albemarle estuarine

system delineating the zones within the estuarine

trunk-river basin, along with salinity gradients and

tidal processes that characterize each zone.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 35

**FIGURE 3-2-2.** Schematic map of the different

components of a drowned river estuarine system.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 38

**FIGURE 3-2-3.** Schematic cross-sectional profile

A-A' shows morphology down the central basin axis

of drowned-river estuaries.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 40

**FIGURE 3-2-4**. Schematic cross-sectional profiles B-B'

and C-C' of the transition zone from riverine to

estuarine ecosystems within the drowned-river estuaries.
\...\...\...\..... 42

**FIGURE 3-2-5**. Schematic cross-sectional profile D-D'

showing the morphology and distribution and

composition of general sediment types perpendicular

across a drowned-trunk river estuary.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 45

**FIGURE 3-3-1.** Oblique aerial photographs of

back-barrier estuaries in the Northern Province.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 48

**FIGURE 3-3-2.** Oblique aerial photographs of

back-barrier estuaries in the Southern Province.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 52

**FIGURE 3-3-3.** Infrared aerial photo mozaic of the

Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) dug channel between

the mainland and Onslow Beach.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 54

**FIGURE 3-3-4.** Photographs of shoreline erosion along

the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) channel.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 56

**FIGURE 3-4-1.** Infrared aerial photograph mosaics

of the riverine---estuarine transition zone of the

Chowan and Tar-Pamlico Rivers.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 58

**FIGURE 4-2-1.** Schematic model of a sediment-bank

shoreline showing the wave-cut scarp, wave-cut

platform, and strandplain beach perched on the platform.
\...\...\...\..... 63

**FIGURE 4-2-2.** Photographs of eroding bluff and

high sediment bank estuarine shorelines.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 66

**FIGURE 4-2-3.** Photographs of low sediment

bank estuarine shorelines.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 68

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 4-2-4.** Photographs of sediment bank shorelines

with bulkheads and no sand strandplain beaches.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 70

**FIGURE 4-3-1.** Schematic model of a swampforest shoreline.
\...\...\...\.... 73

**FIGURE 4-3-2.** Photographs of swampforest shorelines

in the riverine---estuarine transition zone of the

Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 75

**FIGURE 4-3-3.** Photographs of vegetatively-bound

swampforest shorelines in the headwaters of small

tributary estuaries and outer trunk estuaries where

receding shorelines have intersected pocosin swampforests.
\...\...\...\... 77

**FIGURE 4-3-4.** Photographs of shorelines dominated

by cypress headlands and cypress fringes.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 80

**FIGURE 4-3-5.** Schematic model of a marsh platform

shoreline characteristic of the Northern Province where

astronomical tides are minimal and wind tides dominate.
\...\...\...\...\... 82

**FIGURE 4-3-6.** Photographs of fresh to brackish,

irregularly flooded, fringing marsh shorelines.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 84

##### FIGURE 4-3-7. Photographs of low-brackish, 

##### irregularly flooded, and wave dominated, platform 

##### marsh shorelines of the Northern Province. \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 86

**FIGURE 4-3-8.** Photographs of high-brackish,

regularly flooded marsh shorelines and

associated tidal mudflats of the Southern Province.
\...\...\...\...\...\.... 89

**FIGURE 4-5-1.** Schematic cross-sectional diagrams of

simple overwash and complex barrier islands and

associated back-barrier estuarine shorelines.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 92

**FIGURE 4-5-2.** Comparison of back-barrier estuarine

shorelines on aerial photographs from 1932 and 1999

for the portion of Pea Island north of Rodanthe

on the northern Outer Banks.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 94

**FIGURE 4-5-3.** A 1983 aerial photograph of Kitty Hawk Woods

showing extensive development of beach ridge structures

and the interpreted beach ridge map of Fisher (1967).
\...\...\...\...\..... 97

**FIGURE 4-5-4.** Comparison of the coastal portion

of a complex barrier island in the Kitty Hawk

area using aerial photographs from 1932 and 1999.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 99

**FIGURE 5-2-1.** Model of estuarine wind tides in the

North Carolina sounds in response to storm events.
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 105

**FIGURE 6-2-1**. Generalized sea-level curve for the

last 40,000 years of Earth history and extending

100 years into the near future.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 111

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 6-2-2.** Structure contour map on top of Pleistocene

sediments in Pamlico Sound. Reconstruction of the

paleotopography and paleodrainage system in northeastern

North Carolina during the last Pleistocene glacial maximum.
\...\...\..... 114

**FIGURE 6-3-1**. Map of ocean shoreline change from 1852

to 1965 demonstrating the recession of the ocean beach

at Cape Hatteras (Fisher, 1967).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 117

**FIGURE 6-3-2.** Tide gauge data from Hampton, VA and

Charleston, SC demonstrate the rate of ongoing

sea-level rise.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
119

**FIGURE 6-3-3.** Marsh expansion at the expense of

pocosin swamp forest along the western shore of

Pamlico Sound from 1983 to 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 122

**FIGURE 6-3-4.** Prediction for the initial short-term

barrier island collapse (decadal scale) and long-term

(century scale) evolution of barrier islands and

estuaries within northeastern North Carolina.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 124

**FIGURE 7-1-1**. Historical maps depicting the evolutionary

development of Croatan Sound and opening of Roanoke

Marshes between Croatan and Pamlico Sounds.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 127

**FIGURE 7-1-2**. Longitudnal cross section through

the paleo-Pamlico Creek, across the interstream

divide at Roanoke Marshes, and paleo-Croatan

Creek, into the Roanoke River.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 129

> **FIGURE 7-1-3**. Side-scan sonar images of Croatan
>
> Sound bottom showing relict geologic units
>
> exposed on the sound floor.
> \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 132

**FIGURE 7-1-4**. Composite of four bathymetric profiles

from Manns Harbor to Roanoke Island along the south

side of the old Croatan bridge (U.S. Highway 64).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 135

**FIGURE 7-1-5**. Portion of a satelite image of Cedar

Island shows the modern process of drowning across

the Carteret Peninsula interstream divide.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 138

**FIGURE 8-1-1**. Location map of estuarine

shoreline erosion study sites in northeastern

North Carolina included in the present study.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 145

**FIGURE 8-2-1.** Photographs of the Hatteras

Overwash site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
151

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 8-2-2.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto

Quarter Quadrangle for the Hatteras Overwash

site with digitized shorelines (1962 and 1998).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 153

**FIGURE 8-2-3.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Hatteras Overwash site (1945, 1962, and 1989).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 155

**FIGURE 8-2-4.** Photographs of the Buxton Inlet site.
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 158

**FIGURE 8-2-5.** An oblique aerial photograph (1992)

and aerial photograph (1999) showing multiple

'goint-to-sea' highways at the Buxton Inlet site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 160

**FIGURE 8-2-6.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto

Quarter Quadrangle for the Buxton Inlet site

with digitized shorelines (1962, 1974, and 1998).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 162

**FIGURE 8-2-7.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Buxton Inlet site (1962, 1964, 1983, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 164

**FIGURE 8-2-8.** Photographs of the Salvo Day-Use site.
\...\...\...\...\...\.... 168

**FIGURE 8-2-9.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto

Quarter Quadrangle for the Salvo Day-Use site

with digitized shorelines (1962 and 1998).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 170

**FIGURE 8-2-10.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Salvo Day-Use site (1962, 1978, and 1983).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 172

**FIGURE 8-2-11.** Photographs of Jockey's Ridge site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 175

**FIGURE 8-2-12.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto

Quarter Quadrangle for the Jockey's Ridge and

Nags Head Woods sites with digitized shorelines

(1964 and 1998).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
177

**FIGURE 8-2-13.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Jockey's Ridge site (1962, 1971, and 1989).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 179

**FIGURE 8-2-14.** The 1932 and 1999 aerial photograph

sequence for the Jockey's Ridge and Seven Sisters

Dune Field sites.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
181

**FIGURE 8-2-15.** The 1932 aerial photograph for the

Seven Sisters Dune Field site with 1998 digitized

shorelines and roads.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 183

**FIGURE 8-2-16.** Photographs of Nags Head Woods site.
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 186

**FIGURE 8-2-17.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Nags Head Woods site (1940, 1964, 1975, and 1983).
\...\...\...\...\..... 188

**FIGURE 8-2-18.** Photographs of the Duck Field

Research Facility site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 190

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 8-2-19.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Duck Field Research Facility with

digitized shorelines for 1986, 1992, and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 193

**FIGURE 8-2-20.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Duck Field Research Facility site (1986,

1992, 1997, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 195

**FIGURE 8-3-1.** Maps of northern Roanoke Island showing

shoreline erosion data of Dolan, modification

structures, coastal segments of this report, and

changing fetch around the northern end of the Island.
\...\...\...\...\..... 200

**FIGURE 8-3-2.** Photographs of the North Roanoke

Island site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
202

**FIGURE 8-3-3.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the north Roanoke Island site with

digitized shorelines for 1969, 1975, and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 204

**FIGURE 8-3-4.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the north Roanoke Island site (1969 and 1994).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 206

**FIGURE 8-3-5.** Photographs of the Woodard's Marina site.
\...\...\...\...\... 211

**FIGURE 8-3-6.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Woodard's Marina site with

digitized shorelines for 1963 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 213

**FIGURE 8-3-7.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Woodard's Marina site (1956, 1978, 1989, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\... 215

**FIGURE 8-3-8.** Photographs of the Grapevine Landing site.
\...\...\...\..... 218

**FIGURE 8-3-9.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Grapevine Landing site with

digitized shorelines for 1981 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 220

**FIGURE 8-3-10.** Photographs of the Point Peter Road site.
\...\...\...\..... 223

**FIGURE 8-3-11.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Point Peter Road site with

digitized shorelines for 1969 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 225

**FIGURE 8-3-12.** Aerial photo time slices for the

Point Peter Road site (1969, 1983, 1998, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\.... 227

**FIGURE 8-3-13.** Photographs of the North Bluff Point site.
\...\...\...\.... 230

**FIGURE 8-3-14.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the North Bluff Point site with

digitized shorelines for 1983 and 2000.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 232

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 8-3-15**. Aerial photo time slices for

the North Bluff Point site (1983 and 1995).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 234

**FIGURE 8-3-16.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Swan Quarter site with

digitized shorelines for 1956 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 237

**FIGURE 8-3-17.** Photographs of the Lowland site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 240

**FIGURE 8-3-18.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Lowland site with digitized

shorelines for 1964 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 242

**FIGURE 8-3-19.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Lowland site (1964, 1970, 1983, and 1995).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 244

**FIGURE 8-4-1.** Photographs of the Wades Point site.
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 249

**FIGURE 8-4-2.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Wades Point site with

digitized shorelines for 1970, 1984, and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 251

**FIGURE 8-4-3.** Aerial photo time slices for

the Wades Point site (1970, 1984, 1989, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 253

**FIGURE 8-4-4.** Photographs of the Hickory Point site.
\...\...\...\...\...\... 256

**FIGURE 8-4-5.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Hickory Point and Pamlico Marine Lab

sites with digitized shorelines for 1970, 1984, and 1998.
\...\...\...\.... 258

**FIGURE 8-4-6.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Hickory Point and Pamlico Marine Lab sites

(1970, 1984, and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 260

**FIGURE 8-4-7.** Photographs of the Pamlico Marine Lab site.
\...\...\...\.... 262

**FIGURE 8-4-8.** Photographs of the Bayview site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 265

**FIGURE 8-4-9.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Bayview site with digitized

shorelines for 1970 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 267

**FIGURE 8-4-10.** Photographs of the Camp Leach site.
\...\...\...\...\...\..... 270

**FIGURE 8-4-11.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Camp Leach site with

digitized shorelines for 1970 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 272

**FIGURE 8-4-12.** Photographs of the Mauls Point site.
\...\...\...\...\...\.... 275

**FIGURE 8-4-13.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Mauls Point site with digitized

shorelines for 1970, 1984, and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 277

[PAGE]{.underline}

**FIGURE 8-4-14.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Mauls Point site (1984 and 2000).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 279

**FIGURE 8-4-15.** Photographs of the Bay Hills site.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 282

**FIGURE 8-4-16.** The 1998 Digital Orthophoto Quarter

Quadrangle for the Bay Hills site with

digitized shorelines for 1970 and 1998.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 284

**FIGURE 8-4-17.** Aerial photograph time slices for

the Bay Hills site (1938 and 1984).
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 286

# 

# **ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**

This manuscript is a product of the North Carolina Coastal Geology
Cooperative Program, a five-year, multi-institutional effort of East
Carolina University (ECU), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and N.C.
Geological Survey (NCGS). Primary funding is through the USGS, Coastal
and Marine Geology Program (Woods Hole, MA) Cooperative Agreements
01ERAG0010 and 02ERAG0044. Supplementary support is from the U.S.
National Park Service (P521001A704), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(1448-40181-02-G-082), Environmental Defense, and ECU.

Dr. Lundie Spence, formerly the Marine Education Specialist with the
N.C. Sea Grant College Program (NC SGCP), convinced us to write this
manuscript, made the initial contacts with the N.C. Division of Coastal
Management (NC DCM), and arranged for its publication. Publication funds
for this manuscript were provided by grants from U.S. National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (US NOAA) and Albemarle-Pamlico National
Estuary Program (A-P NEP) to Mr. Mike Lopazanski at NC DCM. Sincere
appreciation is extended Mike Lopazanski (NC DCM) and Ann Green (NC
SGCP) for sheparding the manuscript through the many development phases
and to Stephen Benton (NC DCM) and Spencer Rogers (NC SGCP) for
manuscript reviews.

Special thanks go to the faculty, staff, and students of the Geology and

Biology Departments at East Carolina University, who carried out
numerous studies during the 1970s on estuarine shoreline erosion in the
North Carolina coastal system. These studies were done under the
auspices of the N.C. Sea Grant College Program. Dr. Michael P. O'Connor
and Dr. Vincent J. Bellis, co-investigators who participated in the
early estuarine shoreline erosion studies, helped develop the scientific
understanding of this complex system. Graduate students instrumental in
carrying out specific portions of the research include Stephen Benton,
Scott Hardaway, Scott Hartness, and Daniel Pearson. Some of the data
used herein has been synthesized from publications and theses produced
by these co-investigators and their graduate students.

The authors and graduate students have carried out an extensive research

program concerning the origin and evolution of the North Carolina
estuarine system for the late Pleistocene and Holocene (the last 20,000
years of earth history). This program began in the early 1980s and
continues today and has included the following primary graduate
students: Thomas Duque, Gary Eames, Stephen Fournet, Richard Moore,
Megan Murphy, Greg Rudolph, Eric Sager, Angela Sproat, Robert Wyrick,
and Douglas Yeates. Various aspects of the early phases of this research
program were funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, N.C.
Albemarle---Pamlico Estuarine Study, N.C. Sea Grant College Program, and
East Carolina University. These studies provided the preliminary
scientific base upon which we built the ongoing ECU---USGS---NCGS
Cooperative Program on the Coastal Geology of North Carolina.

Personal thanks are also extended to James Watson, research technician
and boat captain, who supplied many months of hard labor on the North
Carolina waterways and critical expertise in equipment operation and
maintenance over the many years of field research. Thanks to Megan
Murphy and Kimberly Sunderlin for assistance in producing some figures.
Many other faculty, staff, students, individuals, and agencies supplied
key support, information, and resources over the years that have allowed
this long-term project to succeed----we extend our greatest thanks to
all of you.

**\
DISCLAIMER**

The contents of this book reflect only the data and views of the
authors, who are responsible for the accuracy of the data and data
interpretations presented herein. The contents do not reflect the
official views or policies of any of the funding agencies or Federal and
State organizations publishing this book.