Coastal Shore Erosion

Observation by Jacqueline Schaeffer:

These are photos of shore erosion occurring in NW Alaska, near Cape Blossom, outside of Kotzebue. My uncle took these from his boat.

Comments from LEO Editors:

Cape Blossom is a located about 18 miles south of Kotzebue on the Baldwin Peninsula at a point that extends southwestwards into Kotzebue Sound.

This observation has been shared with the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, as well as the Alaska Army Corps of Engineers, to see if there are any on-going erosion projects in this area.

Jacqueline Overbeck, Coastal Hazards Program Manager, writes:

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) is currently proposing a project to measure shoreline change in the Kotzebue region, in which we would work to add data to the Alaska Shoreline Change Tool (including shorelines and projected shoreline positions). Preliminary investigations show approximately 4 feet of erosion per year between 1978 and 2010 in an area just north of Cape Blossom, and approximately 1.5-3 feet of erosion per year at Cape Blossom. Further investigations are necessary to quantify the uncertainty in these rates and to interpret other datasets to determine rates of shoreline change through time. The mechanism of erosion in the photos looks to be from thermal degradation of the ice rich bluff in contact with water, resulting in niche erosion and block collapse. DGGS operates a water level sensor in Kotzebue to monitor water levels that might result in erosion or flooding. Around June 30, the time of the posting, the water levels were approximately 1.6 feet above mean lower low water, which was not abnormal. Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Resources

There are several resources available to help communities address erosion and its impacts. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) can help determine the nature, extent and severity of geological impacts such as significant erosion. In particular, the Coastal Hazards Program looks at how "Alaska's coastline has evolved and how it will respond to hazardous events and long-term changes."

The Alaska Army Corps of Engineers can help guide communities through existing publications in order to develop basic designs to address erosion issues.

The EPA Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (IGAP) coordinators can help identify funding opportunities and write grants to fund erosion related projects. Specifically, GAP grants are available to Tribes to address erosion issues related to solid or hazardous waste.

More information on addressing erosion issues can be found in Understanding and Evaluating Erosion Problems report, created by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in partnership with the Alaska Division on Community and Regional Affairs.