On the 2nd May 2019, we installed our first fixed point camera mount at Wembury Beach as part of a citizen science project, CoastSnap. Members of the public can engage by taking photos and submitting them to the Plymouth Coastal Observatory, allowing a image catalogue to be built, aiding the understanding of the seasonal beach dynamics and beach levels in repose to storms.
How it works:
- Place your smartphone on its side in the mount so that the camera is facing the beach through the gap. *This is very important, if you don't use the camera cradle we can't use your photo*
- Take your photo, without using zoom, square or panoramic.
- Carefully remove your phone.
- Share your photo with us either by:
So far, we have received over 50 photo submissions and have received a lot of positive feedback from partners and users.
The original design and idea of this project is attributed to the CoastSnap team, who have set up four sites in Australia. It has been set up in nine different countries globally, for more information on their progress, visit their website or Facebook page.
|
|
|
Wembury CoastSnap sign installation
|
|
Time-lapse
Here is our fist time-lapse of Wembury beach that was generated in June, using all of the photos that were submitted to us since the installation in May! We will be generating similar time-lapses as we receive more images in the future!
|
|
|
Topographic Surveys
All of the spring interim surveys were captured successfully within the survey window and are available to download from the website. The repeat baseline surveys have been completed and the data will be available to download from the website in the near future. The latest profile data from these surveys is available for immediate viewing on our map viewer.
Blackpool Sands Repeat Baseline Survey
The second repeat baseline survey at Blackpool Sands was carried out successfully on 04/07/2019. This will provide crucial information in conjunction with existing repeat surveys in Start Bay on the entire embayment.
|
|
|
Blackpool Sands Baseline Survey
|
|
|
|
Currently, 92% of the south west coast has been captured and awaiting data delivery, however due to technical difficulties there have been delays in receiving this data. The remaining area to be captured is located around the Parrot Estuary and is planned to be captured on the next suitable tidal window. The area between Portland Bill and east of Burton Freshwater has been successfully captured and delivered.
|
|
|
|
The Severn Estuary has been captured and will be available in due course. Eleven flight lines are still outstanding on the south coast of Cornwall and are due to re-flown as a result of prior issues due to cloud cover.
|
|
|
|
The Programme will be carrying out a multibeam bathymetric survey between Teignmouth and Exmouth, with an additional section in Brixham Harbour. This will provide crucial information for the Teignmouth Beach Management Plan. The contract has been completed and has been sent off for tender.
|
|
|
Habitat mapping is currently underway and is in the process of being quality checked. The data should be available to download from the website by the end of 2019.
|
|
|
Preparations for Phase 4 of the Programme are well underway at PCO. Survey review meetings are currently taking place with local authorities and Programme partners, reviewing the survey regime at each of the beaches PCO monitor around the southwest.
|
|
|
West Bay Coastal Defence Improvements Scheme
|
|
|
In May, members of the PCO team visited the the West Bay Coastal Defence Improvements Scheme that is currently taking place. Following the storms in 2013/14, both the Environment Agency and Dorset Council identified West Bay as an area which requires improvements to its coastal defences to help prevent flooding in three key areas. Various coastal defences such as new rock groyne, a buried rock core and a strengthened flood wall are being constructed as part of the scheme. The visit was extremely beneficial for the team to see firsthand the works being carried out on site, and to gauge an understanding of technicalities of the works in light of future monitoring there. Click here to find out further information about the scheme.
|
|
|
In June, Project Manager, Ruth Adams attended Flood and Coast 2019 in Telford. The 3 day conference contained various workshops, presentations, debate and panel sessions surrounding the issues of flood and coastal erosion risk, resilience and response. The presentations included a wide range of speakers, including Sir James Bevan (Chief Executive,EA) and Professor Stephen Belcher (Cheif Scientist, Met Office). Ruth attended various presentations, coastal workshops and helped out on the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme stand.
|
|
|
Joseff and Isabel from PCO attended the Devon Maritime Forum at Saunton Sands, North Devon. The day consisted of a range of interesting and informative presentations, which were well received by the PCO team.
|
|
|
Ruth Adams has joined the SWRCMP as Programme Manager. Ruth has been in post as temporary Programme Manager since last autumn and we are very happy to welcome her as a permanent addition to the Programme.
|
|
|
|
PCO welcomes back Josie -Alice Kirby from maternity leave. She will now be the point of contact for the area between Portland Bill and Exmouth.
|
|
|
|
Isabel Kelly from PCO undertook a day trialing a USV (bottom left) in Start Bay, looking at the potential for use in rapid deployment surveys post-storm and for discrete scheme specific surveys. There will be a presentation on this survey methodology at our Annual Partner's Meeting 2019.
|
|
|
|
|
Erin joined the PCO team for the day on 3rd July as part of her work experience at Torquay Girls' Grammar School (bottom right). Here is a brief account from Erin's work experience at PCO:
'As part of my work experience, I spent a day at the Plymouth Coastal Observatory. In the morning, I learnt about what the team do in terms of monitoring the coast around the South West, while in the afternoon they showed me the survey equipment they use and I helped prepare for a survey that was taking place the next day. I also got to see the wave tank on the ground floor of the building where there was an experiment taking place, and helped with a project where the public can send in photos from a specific position so the team can see if the view is changing significantly.
It was really interesting to learn about all of the different types of surveys that are used to monitor our coast, but the best part of the day was definitely getting dressed up as a surveyor!'
Erin Snape
Year 10, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
