The natural phenomena of beaches are pretty incredible, if you think about it. The major character of a beach is the sand dunes comprised of dune grass, flowers and even trees. These sand dunes are greatly affected by waves and the wind. The desire is to let you know how beaches sustain themselves and to truly realize just how special our seven miles of beach is here in Old Orchard Beach, if you didn’t already know!
The major aspect of how a beach sustains itself are the sand dunes. Sand dunes are mounds of sand created by the wind and ocean waves along the shoreline. They are essentially erosion protectors. If it weren’t for this combination of sand dunes, wind and ocean waves, we would not have beaches. In fact, flooding would occur all the time. Sand dunes are moving and during storms they actually shift.
The most important part of how beaches sustain themselves is the ecological diversity of dune grass and vegetation. The grass that grows has an intricate network of grass roots that run horizontally underneath the dunes called rhizomes thereby holding the grass in place. This structure underneath the dunes is what holds back storms that hit the beach itself. Even strong storms are kept at bay because of this.
With that said, during winter we experience winter storms sometimes very strong storms, which showcase a great example of just how much of a marvel the whole system is and how sophisticated it is. During winter storms sandbars form and shift, which are created just offshore. This shifting that occurs waxes and wanes from winter to summer. The wind, waves and the intricate system of sand dunes cycle the sand from offshore to the original beach, hence why during summer we are able to enjoy the beach!
Many cities and towns make it a top priority to protect dunes in their legislation because of how much people enjoy the beach. This is why when visiting Old Orchard Beaches, you will see dunes protected with signs that impose a fine if damaged in any way. The ecological diversity of the sand dunes involving birds, grass, flowers, and trees is so important to keeping our magnificent beaches intact. The tourism industry depends on such priorities set by towns and cities because it sustains the industry throughout time.
The next time you are in Old Orchard Beach take a look at these beautiful dunes and realize just how important they are, take a picture and send it to us too! And while you’re at it book with us at the Alouette Beach Resort so you may enjoy this stretch of seven miles of this incredible ecological and beautiful phenomena.
