For coastline management these parameters are generally not the most important ones. The system which was used until 1960 in the Netherlands is a very good and cheap method. Our experience has shown that this type of information can be used extensively for solving various coastal problems. Every country with a sandy coast is advised to perform this type of simple coastal measurement, when it is impossible to make detailed profile measurements. Profile measurements, as discussed in the next chapter are better, but much more expensive.
Simple observations are very cheap, but extremely useful.
In tidal areas one has to measure the position of the Low Water line, the High Water line and the Dune Foot every year. In non-tidal areas only the waterline under normal conditions and the Dune Foot has to be measured. In case of a coast without dunes, one should use for this position the edge of the vegetation. The measurements have to be performed at regular distances along the coast, for example every 250 m. In the case of groynes measurements are necessary in the middle between two groynes.