Beaufort Sea Coastal Monitoring
Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
Rationale
Steve Solomon measuring coastal erosion at Komakuk
Beach.
© Gavin Manson |
The Beaufort Sea coast is one of the most rapidly changing coasts of Canada.
Coastal erosion (as much as 20 m in a single storm in some low-lying areas)
threatens historical sites, archaeological sites and the coastal environment.
Predicted climate-induced changes in sea ice and temperature, and possible
changes in storm frequency and intensity, will likely result in an increase
in coastal instability. This research program was originally initiated to examine
historical and archaeological sites at risk from coastal erosion. In recent
years, oil and gas exploration, pipeline-related activities and proposed marine
protected areas have raised issues in relation to coastal stability and oil
spill sensitivity.
Objectives
- To improve our understanding of Beaufort Sea coastal stability.
- To monitor changes along the Beaufort Sea coast at sites that represent
specific coastal environments or are cultural or historical sites.
- To investigate changes in water levels and temperature during storms along
the southeastern Beaufort Sea coast.
Methods and Information Collected
- Videos, air photos, satellite imagery and ground photos are taken of coastal
areas.
- Cliff and beach topography, near shore bathymetry, sediment samples and
water levels are measured.
- Sediment grain size is measured using settling tubes and sedigraph or coulter
counters.
- Sea temperature and storm surge monitoring is conducted at various locations
along the Beaufort Sea coast. Probes are located at Shingle Point, Stokes
Point and Nunaluk Spit along the coast of Ivvavik National Park. There are
also probes at locations in Alaska, and at Kendall Island and Tuktoyaktuk.
- Probes are used to measure sea temperature and storm surges. The probes
are cylinder shaped and are approximately 10 cm long and 3 cm in diameter.
The probes are attached to a weight and placed in 1-3 m of water.
- Parks Canada is responsible for setting out and retrieving probes along
the coast of Ivvavik National Park. The probes are set out in July and retrieved
in July of the following year when the new probes are set.
Sea temperature and storm surge probe. Log cabin and
eroding cliff edge at Nunaluk Spit.
© Gavin Manson |
Results
- In the absence of permanent tide gauges, storm surge probes have proven
to be a suitable tool for monitoring summer and early fall water levels along
the Beaufort Sea shoreline.
- The probes recorded a water surge associated with a storm on August 10-14,
2000. This storm showed the differences in timing and height of water surges
at different locations. Surges were later, higher and longer in the west.
- A dramatic change in wind speed and direction around Prudhoe Bay was noted
from August 18-27, 2001. This coincided with a decrease in water levels throughout
the region.
- Coastal sites were ranked according to their relative vulnerability to
erosion. Coastal mapping at 1:50 000 scale was completed in 1999 using aerial
videography. Monitoring for this phase of the project was completed in 2000-01.
Analysis and reporting is expected to be completed by the end of 2001-2003.
- Several reports have also been produced - Draft Report to Department of
National Defence and Ivvavik National Park on Erosion at the Komakuk DEW Line
Site (1998, Steve Solomon). Kitigaaryuit Archaeological Inventory and Mapping
Project - 1997 and Kitigaaryuit Archaeological Inventory and Oral Traditions
project - 2001 have also been produced in conjunction with Elisa Hart.
- A digital coastal information system has been developed and used to rank
the erosion hazard along the Beaufort coastline.
- Data from 2003 illustrate that rapid retreat is continuing at most sites.
The very low-lying site at Niaqulik and the Nunaluk Spit tundra island are
changing particularly rapidly. The log house on Nunaluk Spit will likely be
at the cliff edge within the next 5-10 years at the present rate.
Years of Data
- Fieldwork for this project was carried out in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999,
2000 and 2003. In 2001, fieldwork was conducted in Kitigaaryuit National Historic
Site in order to assess the stability of, and hazards to, cultural sites in
the area.
Partners
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada (project lead)
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Parks Canada
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Environment Canada
Funding
- Panel on Energy Research and Development
- Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada
- Polar Continental Shelf Project
Data Location
- Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic), Dartmouth
Contacts
Steven Solomon
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic)
P.O. Box 1006
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2
Phone: (902) 426-8911
Fax: (902) 426-4104
Ssolomon@nrcan.gc.ca
Gavin Manson
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic)
P.O. Box 1006
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2
Phone: (902) 426-3144
Fax: (902) 426-4104
Gmanson@nrcan.gc.ca
Don Forbes
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic)
P.O. Box 1006
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2
Phone: (902) 426-7737
Fax: (902) 426-4104
Dforbes@nrcan.gc.ca