Monitoring sand movement

Delaware shorelines are constantly changing, largely driven by storms that erode the shoreline and move sand away from the beach, depositing it elsewhere. Every year, the state works to mitigate erosion and keep beach communities safe and beaches thriving. A new study from the University of Delaware supports these efforts by deploying simple trail cameras along the Delaware coast to better understand sand-transport patterns. More than a dozen have been set up so far.

The study is led by Robin Mattheus, scientist with the Delaware Geological Survey, who said the aim is to eventually have cameras along the whole Sussex County.

Currently, camera boxes are deployed at Lewes, Kitts Hummock, the Indian River Inlet, Cape Henlopen and Prime Hook Beach. They provide continuous coverage of the dynamics that shape the coast by taking photographs every 30 minutes.

The cameras are placed at high vantage points, such as a homeowner's deck, the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen and the Indian River Inlet Bridge. Mattheus said the homeowners and municipalities have been incredibly accommodating.