The CoastSnap Project (www.coastsnap.com), is a global coastal science program run by the University of New South Wales Sydney that encourages beachgoers to take pictures of the coastline at the same location and orientation to capture a valuable record of beach changes over time. This allows changes to be observed and contributes to our understanding of coastal processes, such as coastal erosion, bluff movement, the beach recovery process, and sea level rise.

Have you seen these?

These are stainless steel cradles that are strategically placed at key advantage points along select beach-access stairways. Each cradle has a camera access window and is positioned at a precise angle to capture consistent photos of the specific beach coastline.

How should I take the photos?

Consistency is key to this process, which is why we highly recommend replicating the images below as closely as possible according to your specific CoastSnap location. To ensure accurate results, please avoid visual obstructions such as people or large objects when taking your photos.

The following CoastSnap Station locations are currently active and available for use:

How does it work?

By taking photos at the CoastSnap stations and uploading them to the network, community members help us develop a record of coastal changes overtime. Simply take your photo, then scan the QR Code found on the cradle, or the signage directly below the cradle, to access the Survey123 application and send the photo straight to us.

Once sent, markers along the beach are used to analyze the images and precisely measure the shoreline location on any given day. These photos are then put together to create a timelapse video, or still record, showing the shoreline’s position and beach width as it evolves overtime.

You can track Grandview Beach’s shoreline changes yourself by following the project’s Instagram page: @Encinitas_GrandviewCoastSnap

Why are we doing this? 

Our coastline is constantly changing. Sand is often scattered offshore by large waves and high tides, leaving our beaches narrow and eroded. The sand is usually returned by calmer waves as well as with the changes in the seasonal sand cycles, building the beach back up again.

 

 

SandSnap is a citizen science project run by the US Army Corps of Engineers and designed to build a comprehensive database of beach sand grain sizes. By collecting and analyzing this data, researchers and resource managers can better understand how our coastlines are evolving and predict how they will change. Traditionally, collecting grain size is a tedious and time-consuming process for scientists. However, SandSnap simplifies this process by allowing anyone with a cellphone to capture an image of the sand alongside a US or Euro coin. This method streamlines data collection and measurement, making large volumes of information easily accessible to both users and the public.

Keep an eye out for this sign!

Public Beach Counter Program

The Public Beach Counter Program is an ongoing initiative that uses automated sensors to track beach attendance. The program started over 25 years ago with lifeguards manually counting beach visitors. Since 2001, however, the City has shifted towards automated sensors and has been able to use this information to make long term decisions in operational and resource management costs, along with tracking tourism patterns to support the local economy.

Currently, there are nine active counters at the following beach access points as shown below: (from left to right) Beacon’s, Grandview, Stonesteps, D-Street, Moonlight Pedestrian Ramp, Moonlight Roundabout, Moonlight Emergency Ramp, Swami’s, Pipes Ramp.

Here is a picture of what our PYRO box sensors look like. You may find them tucked away in the staircase rails at some of our access points!

Through this project, we have been able to efficiently collect data and analyze the numbers using a software called EcoVisio. Our data analysis and reporting allow us to make informed long-term decisions for ongoing projects, like sand renourishment, and allow us to predict changes in the local economy.   

To learn more about the 2024 annual findings, please click here.

To learn more about the 2023 annual findings, please click here. 

Beacon's Beach Coastal Bluff Landscape Restoration is a current project that exemplifies the balance of habitat protection with recreational opportunities. The primary objective of the project is to stabilize the bluff using native vegetation to protect the access trail at this popular beach destination. The restoration of native plant species will have the twofold benefit of reducing bluff top erosion and increasing habitat area. The restoration plan includes a pilot project testing the use of washed up kelp to enhance natural dune formation. Long term monitoring plans include citizen science opportunities to increase engagement and stewardship in the community. For more details on this project, please review the Beacon's Beach Coastal Bluff Landscape Restoration plan.

The California Coastal Analysis and Mapping Project (CCAMP), completed in 2018 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was an extensive, 15-year undertaking involving detailed coastal engineering analysis and mapping of the Pacific Coast of California. The data was used to create an updated, interactive map of the coastal flood risk and wave hazards for the California coastline. The project also establishing new Base Flood Elevations (BFE) using key coastal processes such as dune erosion, wave setup, wave run-up, overtopping, overland wave propagation, and evaluation of coastal structures.