While shoreline construction in Alaska is young and unproven, Alaskans can learn from tribulations in other parts of the world. In this book, ten articles by coastal engineering experts address coastal processes and trends that drive shoreline retreat and coastal erosion. Topics include non-structural coastal zone management, successfully proven constructed responses, and limitations of constructed works. Coastal managers will find the information useful in making wise decisions regarding coastal erosion responses for Alaska.

The coastal zone is subject to strong pressures from a large number of users. Populations are migrating to it in large numbers. Industry wants to exploit it for its space, water and manpower. Aggregate miners want to exploit mineral resources and health centers are multiplying. It is a favorite area for tourism and recreation worldwide. The zone can boom economically. However, coastlines are progressively receding worldwide, making the zone fragile, vulnerable, and unstable. The book presents methods of coastal protection and beach restoration and offers solutions to the various problems.

The cause of coastal erosion along the Homer Spit on lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, was identified and potential long-term means of erosion control were recommended. The limited wind and wave data available for the region were subsequently collected and statistically analyzed. Deepwater wave forecasts were performed based on the wind statistics. A finite difference numerical model of the nearshore areas of the Homer spit and adjacent beaches at low tide was applied to predict refraction, diffraction and shoaling of the forecast deepwater waves. The model was also applied to predict breaker characteristics, expected longshore energy flux, and sediment transport rates at low tide. Beach sample size gradation data along and across the Spit shoreline were statistically analyzed, revealing trends which point toward the probable geological evolution of the Spit. Results from the sediment analysis also allowed the numerical model to predict net expected annual longshore sediment transport rates along 11 miles of shoreline.