COASTAL CHANGES AT BETHANY BEACH, DELAWARE.

The coastal processes affecting Bethany Beach, Delaware were studied and the short-term and long-term trends in coastal changes were determined in order to develop recommendations for protecting Bethany against coastal erosion. Although erosion has long been considered a serious problem at Bethany Beach, the shoreline has not changed significantly since the groins were constructed nearly fifty years ago. Historical aerial photographs show that the groins accumulated sediment, thereby widening the beach. Examination of survey data revealed that substantial changes in beach sand volume occurred during the year, but the annual change in volume was very small. Considerable changes in elevation were observed in depths previously thought to be below the depth of closure. These and other aspects of the study are discussed in the paper. Refs.