Proceedings, Coastal Sediments 99, ASCE, 1999, pp 802-817.
REGIONAL SEDIMENT BUDGET FOR FIRE ISLAND TO MONTAUK POINT,
NEW YORK, USA
Julie D. Rosati1, M. ASCE, Mark B. Gravens2, M. ASCE, W. Gray Smith3, M.ASCE
Abstract: The 133-km barrier island chain extending east from Fire Island Inlet
management practices which have had a significant impact on the local (order of
1-2 km) and regional (133-km) sediment budget. Through the development of a
regional sediment budget representative of 1979 to 1995, sediment transport
pathways and magnitudes are estimated. Evaluation of the sediment budget in
context with sand management during this period highlights those practices that
have been influential in the evolution of the barrier island and inlet system.
INTRODUCTION
Regional Sediment Budget
A regional sediment budget is an accounting of gains (sources) and losses (sinks) within
a littoral system for a specific period over both local (1-2 km) and regional (10s of km) spatial
scales. As human involvement with the nation' inlets and coastal regions approaches or
s
exceeds a century in duration, knowledge of a regional sediment budget becomes more critical
in the assessment of whether engineering works enhance or degrade the littoral system. The
impacts of engineering activities along the coast, such as inlet stabilization, continual
dredging, and regular beach fill placement, increase spatially with time. Thus, consideration
1) Research Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Coastal
and Hydraulics Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 USA.
jd.rosati@cerc.wes.army.mil
2) Research Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Coastal
and Hydraulics Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 USA.
m.gravens@cerc.wes.army.mil
3) Coastal Engineer, Moffatt & Nichol, 1629 Thames Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD, 21231,
USA. gsmith@moffattnichol.com
Rosati et al.