Welcome to the Beach Strip Barrier
It is commonly accepted that the beach strip (barrier) was formed, starting near the mouth of Stoney Creek. The erosional features of the wave actions on the headlands of Stoney Creek, and Grimsby, carried the debris northward, at first forming a sandbar. As debris was further dropped through Longshore (Littoral) Drift, the sandbar continued to grow in length, and littoral drift from wind moved the sand further up the shoreline, plants started to take hold, stabilizing the bar and a North-South spit began to form. As the spit continued to grow, it eventually met the north shore of Lake Ontario in Burlington, creating a Barrier which cut off the flow of water from Burlington Bay, into Lake Ontario.
Longshore, or Littoral Drift is the process by which material is moved along a beach by a prevailing current, where waves break at an angle to the shoreline (moving parallel) within the surf zone. Longshore Drift is the material waves and wind work to shape coastlines, depositing and rearranging the sand, rock, gravel, bits of shell, and other debris to form shoals, spits, bars, barriers and beaches.
It is also theorized (P.S. Van Wagner 1882), that a Grand River once flowed through Dundas, through what is now referred to as Cootes Paradise, during the last ice age, and likely played a significant role in the initial formation of the Beach Strip Barrier. Once the bar, spit and eventually the barrier was established, opposing waves moving in from the west portion of Burlington Bay, broke along the barrier, continuing to drop debris and provided Longshore Drift on the west side of the barrier. Continuing wave action, from the East - erosion of the shoreline and Longshore Drift continue to allow for the growth and evolution of the Beach Strip.
The Burlington Canal South Pier Outer, at the posted coordinates serves as a jetty, and acts like a groin (groyne). A groin, [not what you’re thinking] is a hydraulic structure, extending from the beach perpendicular to the shore into the lake. It interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment. It is usually made out of wood, concrete, rock, gravel, or gabion baskets. Groins are used to create beaches, or prevent them being washed away by Longshore Drift. (Visit the following website for a model of groins, seawall, and breakwater in action here.
Logging Requirements:
In order to log this EarthCache, you will be required to do some exploration, read the information provided above, visit the related webpage, and make observations of the surrounding area. (Yes, just like school) Please submit the answers to the following questions through my profile. Any “Found it” log without answers submitted to the CO, demonstrating your understanding, will be deleted.
1) Standing at the Posted Coordinates, measure the length of the Beach Strip Barrier, from the waypoints provided, on either end of the Beach Strip Barrier.
2) Measure the width of the Burlington Barrier on the south side of the Burlington Canal. This is the narrowest point of the Barrier.
3) At the posted coordinates, provide your observations of the wave actions [movement of debris] on the Beach Strip Barrier, as well as the windspeed and direction during your visit. Wind speed and wind direction can be found using the website here.
If you have your own anemometer, you are of course welcome to use that. Alternately, you may choose to make an estimation of the wind speed, using the Beaufort Wind Estimation Scale, found below.
4) At the time of your visit, describe what you observe happening, to further build the barrier separating Lake Ontario from Burlington Bay. Describe any observations you notice of Longshore Drift, both looking South and North.
5) The Burlington Canal South Pier Outer, the spot you are standing serves as a jetty which has a significant influence on erosional and constructive forces of the Barrier effecting the Longshore drift. The following webpage provides a nice model of this here. From your observations, what is the prevailing direction of the Longshore Drift on the Lakeside of the Barrier. (Hint: look for which side [North or South] has Accretion and which side has Erosion)
6) Although not required to log this cache, please feel free to post any photos you feel show Accretion, Erosion or Longshore Drift along the Beach Strip Barrier. All photos are appreciated.
September 17th, 2022 - Changes to the Location of this Cache
Moving this EarthCache, as access to the pier has been restricted by the Federal Government, for the time being. Plans are in the works to transfer this pier to the City of Hamilton - South Side, and the City of Burlington - North Side.
Coordinates, are now out in Lake Ontario, and can be accessed by a canoe, kayak, or other personal watercraft if you choose, from launching at the beach at N 43 17.811 W 79 47.613. However, this Cache can be logged from land, a boat is not required to access this EarthCache, just be sure to check out both sides of the canal.
Alternately, the closest location from land, is on the Northside of the canal: N 43 18.030. W 79 47.623
The canal is a significant part of this EarthCache, and you really need to see both sides, to determine where the Accretion and the Erosion is happening. Google Satellite View can also be helpful in determining this part of the EarthCache.