COASTAL FLOODING AND EROSION: SHORT AND LONG TERM MONITORING OF COASTAL CHANGE AT MAIN BEACH IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

In order to develop solutions to mitigate further coastal flooding and erosion, it is essential to understand the factors influencing coastal change, surrounding features, and how these respond to climate change. The study site I will focus on is located in Santa Cruz, California, specifically Main Beach, and will cover a nine-year period from 2016 to 2025 using images from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) data. Wave data will be obtained from the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP-MOP), and accuracy will be ensured by correlating buoy data. Lastly, satellite data will be used to identify river deposition events. I will investigate shoreline position over time and the relationship between wave dynamics, seasonal net beach volume, and the San Lorenzo River and sea cliff. By examining the correlation between shoreline position and net beach volume, I aim to identify which wave parameters and their interactions with surrounding features play a larger role in shoreline change. Preliminary results indicate a decrease in beach volume and landward recession of shoreline position during energetic winter waves associated with storms, while accretion occurs during calmer summer waves. Future goals include predicting rates of beach volume loss and shoreline movement to identify nature-based solutions that will prevent further shoreline erosion and flooding. This analysis will improve our understanding of coastal dynamics, natural processes, and the impacts of climate change on coastal change.