Beach Monitoring Reports
The table shown here is derived from actual measurements of the beach sand elevation at typical points along East beach. The colours are used to provide an approximate indication of the sand level along the beach compared with historical levels. The range of sand levels and the values at which the colours change are shown in the colour legend at the bottom of the table.
The percentage represents the current sand height compared to the historical minimum and maximum heights ever measured at that location since 2013. These values are calculated from the measurements used to produce the profile charts that give additional information about the sand dynamics at that monitoring point.
Sand levels cycle up and down with some correlation to seasonal change and always with a response to storm surges so it is normal to see red squares appear in the 'Current' column of the table. At the next measurement cycle approximately 6 weeks later, that red data will now appear in the 'Previous' column of the table while the 'Current' column reflects the most recent sand level at that point.
The third column labelled '12 Mnths' shows the sand level that existed about one year ago.
These three columns give an overview of the sand level now, how it has changed since the previous measurement and how it compares to last year's results.
A positive number in a red square is usually not a concern but if the number is negative, it indicates that a new low sand level has been detected and further consideration of all the data at that point should be investigated.
Pea Soup and South Beach measurements carried out with Port Fairy schools -
14th and 18th June 2024 Report
Date: Friday 14th and Tuesday 18th June 2024
Monitoring Team: Peter Sanderson, David, and sustainability teams from St Patiricks Primary School (14th June) and Port Fairy Consolidated School (18th June).
Analysis & Report: David Bills-Thompson, PFCG Technical Officer and Data Co-ordinator
Commentary:
South Beach sand height measurements were completed this week by the Year Six students under the guidance of the PFCG.
These measurements used the group's new laser level funded by Moyne Shire.
While the QST shows a snapshot of the lowest part of the beach, for a more complete understanding of the beach dynamics you need to examine each profile chart.
Some sand levels in the swash zone have reduced, however high levels are still present in the backshore so there is no cause for concern.
Note that the QST is presently a sample of only one point in the profile and the existing guide lines (Rules) for determining that point are to highlight the lowest sand level that is typical for that profile. For example, the profile at post 23Left shows a height of only -14% (A new low point) at 50m from the post but if you move 20m closer to the post, the height becomes 100%. The QST is still a very new tool and may need to be developed further to give a more general beach status.
More information
Please contact us if you would like more detailed information.
We can provide:
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spread sheets of all data
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photos for each monthly measurement.