Monitoring Morphology and Currents at the Hatteras Breach
Abstract
On 18 September 2003, Hatteras Island, North Carolina, was breached by Hurricane Isabel about 6 miles northeast of Hatteras Inlet to connect Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic Ocean. The breach occurred at a location of minimum island width and elevation. As part of research on coastal inlets, the new opening was surveyed to provide much-needed data on the hydrodynamic and morphologic evolution of barrier island breaches. Two topographic and shallow water surveys were conducted 10 days apart to capture short-term temporal changes in the breach morphology. Analysis of the survey data indicates rapid morphology change. Ebb and flood shoals formed within 2 weeks of the breach. The main breach channel widened by as much as 125 ft and migrated to the west by as much as 80 ft in the 10 days between surveys. Water levels on both the ocean and sound side of the barrier were also measured. Current velocities were measured with surface drifters and with an ADCP during two field deployments. Maximum current velocities were on the order of 7 ft/sec. The surveys provide quantitative data on the evolution of barrier island breaches that will be applied in development of numerical models of coastal breaching.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA589089
Entities
People
- Kent K. Hathaway
- Ty V. Wamsley
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center