Analysis of Shoreline Change along the Coast of the Wadi Al Ma’awil Watershed, Oman, Using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System

Abstract

In an arid climate, lack of water constitutes a challenge. One solution can be to use storage dams as a tool to facilitate groundwater recharge and provide water for various uses. However, dams cannot be constructed without affecting the environment of the coastal shoreline and its ecological habitats. This study investigated the structural changes (i.e. accretion or erosion) of the coastline along the Wadi Ma’awil watershed. The Wadi Ma’awil watershed was dammed in 1991, providing a 10M m3 dam capacity. Satellite images were obtained for 1972, 1984, 1994, 2008, 2014, and 2018, and coastlines were digitized. For this research, we employed the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to calculate the rate of coastline movement and the changes arising from dam construction or anthropogenic changes to the beach. The results showed that from 1972 to 2018, the shoreline experienced erosion of up to -0.70 m/yr for 56% of the watershed coast. This loss could result in remarkable coastal change. This study can be used by urban planners as support for the importance of preserving natural resources and ecological habitats.