In honor of National Beach Day on August 30, let’s examine Delaware’s celebrated coastline and beaches. Delaware’s Atlantic and Bay beaches are highly dynamic environments of shifting sands that are constantly changing in response to wave energy, tides, the supply of sand, sea level rise, and human activities.
Our beaches are best known for attracting residents and visitors for their beauty and recreational possibilities. They contribute to a thriving coastal economy and provide natural habitat for plants and wildlife. In addition, they protect us from coastal storms. Think of them as shock absorbers that reduce the energy coming ashore in the form of breaking waves or storm surge, protecting homes and businesses from more severe damage.
Check out these other amazing facts about Delaware’s beaches:
Cape Henlopen is Growing in Size The tip of Cape Henlopen State Park is one of the few beaches in Delaware that is naturally expanding in size. The approach of waves from a southeasterly direction along most of our Atlantic beaches helps facilitate the northward transport of sand. The sand is ultimately deposited at the tip of Cape Henlopen State Park, growing it in a northerly direction.
Our Beaches Change in Size Seasonally It is common for the depth and height of many Delaware beaches to grow during the summer and shrink during the winter in response to changing wave conditions. When high energy waves prevail in the winter, many beaches undergo a natural cycle where sand is moved from the dry beach to submerged sandbars located offshore. Much of this sand will return in the spring and summer during fairer weather.
Erosion Is on the Rise Sea level rise, tropical systems, and nor’easters bring higher than average tides and waves that break near the base of dunes. This causes vertical scarping of the dune. Sometimes the higher tide washes over or breaks through the dunes, depositing sand landward. A net loss of sand often requires costly investments in beach replenishment.
Size Matters Many beaches south of Rehoboth have a steep face due to wave forces and sand that is relatively coarse in size. Larger sand particles are more easily cast up the beach by waves compared to finer particles, causing a steeper slope. This results in a narrower surf zone, more concentrated wave energy, and a shorebreak.
What is a Shorebreak?
A shorebreak is a wave that breaks on or close to a sloping shoreline. This causes the wave to break quickly and steeply. It also raises the potential for neck and bone injuries if swimmers are not careful. Always check surf conditions before going into the water and never turn your back on the waves.
Danielle is a certified climate change professional with Delaware Sea Grant (www.deseagrant.org). Delaware Sea Grant utilizes research, education, and extension work in support of resilient communities, economies, and coastal resources. Danielle provides technical assistance and outreach to communities on emergency preparedness and building resilience to weather and climate hazards. She is co-founder of the Resilient and Sustainable Communities League (RASCL – www.derascl.org) and loves hiking the Gordons Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park.
