Kenneth Pye
Associates
Ltd.
Scientific Research,
Consultancy and Investigations
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The geomorphology and environmental context of the Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) coastal dune system, mid-Wales
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The Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) dune system lies in the northern part of Cardigan Bay at the northwest corner of the Dyfi (Dovey) estuary, extending northwards along the open coast towards Tywyn. The dunes are partly owned and managed by the Aberdovey Golf Club, and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of a Special Area of Conservation. The Dovey Estuary is also a RAMSAR site and Special Protection Area (SPA) for wild birds, and the surrounding region has several other conservation designations. The Aberdovey dunes form part of the surface expression of a complex sand and gravel barrier system which is attached to high ground near Aberdovey town. The eastern part, within the Dovey Estuary, can be classified as an estuarine shorefringing system, while the western part, fronting Cardigan Bay, can be classified as an open coast barrier system. A programme of annual nourishment of the dunes has been carried out since the early 1990s using material taken from Aberdyfi Harbour, and some sections have been strengthened using blocks of slate. The dunes provide an important flood defence function for the Aberdovey Golf Club, Cambrian Coast railway line and a number of properties along the A493 coast road. Close to Aberdovey the dunes are now fairly high and wide. However, there is a significant risk of flooding to the northern end of the golf course and Penllyn Marshes if the low dunes in this area are breached or seriously overtopped. In order to inform future management, a geomorphological assessment was carried out which included a review of historical shoreline changes using map and chart evidence, air photograph analysis, lidar data evaluation and field survey.
Historical coastline positions overlaid on aerial photographs (flown in 1998) and lidar survey (flown in 2004).
North
to south topographic profile showing the elevation of the frontal dune ridge
between Tywyn and Aberdovey. The dunes at the
Artificial nourishment of frontal dunes
using
Protective slate blocks on the seaward side of the
Wide, high dunes fronting the southern part of Aberdovey Golf Club
Publications and Reports Pye, K., Saye, S.E. and Blott, S.J. (2007) Sand Dune Processes and Management for Flood and Coastal Defence. Five volumes. Report on R & D Project FD1392 prepared for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Investigation Report ER703. Pye, K. and Blott, S.J. (2006). The Geomorphology and Environmental Context of the Aberdovey Coastal Dune System. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Research Report ER604. Pye, K. and Saye, S.E. (2005) The Geomorphological Response of Welsh Sand Dunes to Sea Level Rise Over the Next 100 Years and the Management Implications for SAC and SSSI Sites. Contract Science Report 670, prepared for Countryside Council for Wales. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Investigation Report ER513.
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