Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines

Science. Policy. Education. Outreach. Coastal.

Archived Projects

NPS Coastal Engineering Inventory

A reconnaissance-level investigation, analysis and inventory of coastal engineering projects in ten coastal national parks was completed by the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS) at Western Carolina University (WCU) with funding provided by the National Park Service (NPS) Recreation Fee Program.

River CaneRiver Cane Studies

Rivercane is a bamboo native to the United States that has been used for millennia for basketry and other purposes by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw and Cherokee.  Recent revitalization of traditional arts and crafts in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian (EBCI) has prompted a major research effort at Western Carolina University through the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines.

Storm SurgeSC Sea Level Rise

Hilton Head Island, SC is highly vulnerable to land loss from sea level rise and accelerated rates of shoreline erosion due to its low average elevation, low slopes, high tidal fluctuations, and exposure to seasonal storms. The island is a centerpiece of the SC beach-based tourism industry which stands to suffer significant losses to infrastructure and ecosystems unless long-term adaptive planning is implemented. Yet, adequate planning requires high-quality, science-based projections of those areas likely to be impacted by a future rise in sea level.

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy was one of the most damaging storms in history. She made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012, but had affects in 24 states. Check out images and other information from Hurricane Sandy!

Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines
Old Student Union
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28734