A HISTORICAL LOOK AT COASTAL CHANGE OF A CAT’S-EYE POND IN NORTHEASTERN SOUTH CAROLINA

Sand Piper Pond is a cat’s-eye pond located at Huntington Beach State Park, just south of Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. Takeover by invasive species has generated interest in management of the pond and reopening its connection with the open ocean that was reported to be closed after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. This study of monthly to yearly aerial photographs (1973-1997), combined with ground penetrating radar and vibracoring, documents changes in the system over the last 30 years. Aerial photographs indicate numerous inlets throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s with only one major opening after Hurricane Hugo. Inlet frequency has decreased since the shoreline has prograded seaward since creation of the jetties in the early 1980’s. Our historical documentation of this section of coastline is important for understanding opening and closure of cat’s-eye ponds and management of these coastal features.