SHORELINE CHANGE AT FORT PULASKI, GEORGIA: A REMOTE SENSING APPROACH

Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island, Georgia, a low- lying salt marsh that was built with dredge spoil prior to construction of the Civil War era fort. Shoreline erosion and migration of an oyster-shell bank are altering the island’s edge along the north channel of the Savannah River, destroying habitat for indigenous species and threatening historical structures, including the North Pier and Battery Hambright. Dredge spoil accretion, ships’ wake and tidal action have caused changes in the shoreline through time. These processes are occurring rapidly, creating an immediate need for accurate information upon which to base management decisions. Aerial imagery from 1982, 1989, 1994, 1997, 1999 and 2000 were scanned, digitized, and georeferenced. Using remote sensing and geographic information systems, these data permitted for: 1) comparison of geographic feature locations from 1982 to 2000, 2) calculation of erosion and migration rates, and 3) determine if seasonal trends exist in these rates. These studies identified the main factors influencing oyster-shell bank migration and shoreline erosion, thereby assisting Fort Pulaski National Park in establishing strategies to prevent further destruction of historical and natural resources.