DANA POINT— Beach days just got a scientific upgrade in Dana Point. A new program called CoastSnap is transforming beach selfies into valuable data for coastal erosion research.
CoastSnap is a global citizen science project that harnesses the power of public photography to monitor coastal erosion. By utilizing specialized camera mounts located on beaches, CoastSnap invites people to capture images of the shoreline. These photos are then analyzed using photogrammetry to track changes in beach width and position over time. This data is invaluable for scientists and coastal managers in understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change and other factors affecting our coastlines.
The project, developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales, utilizes the clever technique of photogrammetry, the art and science of extracting measurements from photographs, allowing CoastSnap to turn beach snapshots into data points.
By analyzing multiple images of an object or scene taken from different angles, computers can create precise 3D models. This technology has revolutionized fields such as geography, architecture and even filmmaking.
Essentially, photogrammetry turns ordinary pictures into valuable data. Once images are captured from various perspectives, software can calculate distances, heights and volumes with remarkable accuracy. This process has become increasingly accessible with advancements in camera technology and computational power.
“I’m thrilled to bring the first CoastSnap station to Orange County and empower our community to protect our coast,” stated Orange County Board of Supervisor Katrina Foley. She emphasizes the threat coastal erosion poses and positions CoastSnap as a crucial tool to measure its impact. By engaging residents, valuable data can be collected while fostering responsible beach stewardship.
Participation is simple. Beachgoers can visit the CoastSnap kiosk at Strands Beach and use the provided smartphone cradle to capture a photo of the shoreline. The kiosk ensures consistent positioning for accurate data collection. Submitted photos are then stitched together, revealing seasonal and long-term changes in beach width.
CoastSnap’s website states, “Repeated photos from the same location are key to tracking how the coast evolves due to factors like storms, rising sea levels and human activity.” This ongoing data collection fosters a deeper understanding of our coastline’s behavior over time.
The information gleaned from CoastSnap stations across the globe, including the new one in Dana Point (the first outside San Diego County in California), will be instrumental in predicting future coastal changes and informing effective protection strategies.
Foley highlights the enthusiastic response to CoastSnap, citing the community’s deep concern for coastal erosion and beach preservation.
“We just thought [CoastSnap] would be a great opportunity because we do have such an engaged community here, especially in South County, that cares deeply about coastal erosion and saving our beaches … we knew [CoastSnap] would generate a lot of interest and it would help us to document the coast,” Foley said.
This program serves a dual purpose. It not only empowers residents to contribute to scientific research, but it also fulfills requirements associated with the Niguel Shores Revetment Restoration Project, a project initially denied due to public beach access concerns. This project reinforces the rock sea wall at Strands Beach, safeguarding coastal homes from landslides.
The county is also taking a proactive stance against climate change through its recently drafted Climate Action Plan. This multifaceted plan outlines strategies for a resilient future, focusing on waste reduction, air quality improvement, clean and accessible water sources and expanding tree cover throughout the county. Additionally, it calls for infrastructure and transportation system upgrades to better protect natural resources, beaches, parks and open spaces for future generations.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the draft Climate Action Plan by emailing [email protected] or mailing comments to Orange County Office of Sustainability, Attn: OCWR/Tara Tisopulos, 601 North Ross St., 5th Floor, Santa Ana, CA, 92701.
CoastSnap was founded in 2017 as a collaborative project between the UNSW Water Research Laboratory and the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in Australia.
The initiative initially focused on two pilot sites in Sydney’s Northern Beaches: Manly Beach and North Narrabeen. For more information about CoastSnap and or to learn about becoming a beach scientist, please visit https://www.coastsnap.com/.
