Coastal Processes –

See ‘Nearshore Processes’

Coastal Zone –

The coastal zone is the land area of the state located near the coast that may be impacted by coastal processes, extending offshore to the continental shelf and, for the purposes of this Manual, inland to the limits estimated by the FEMA-designated AE/VE zones, including a 1-mile buffer. The State of Texas (Texas General Land Office) also defines a coastal zone boundary for management purposes in the Texas Administrative Code Title 31 §503.1, which includes portions of the following Texas counties: Cameron, Willacy, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson, and Orange.

Continental Shelf –

The continental shelf is the portion of a continent (i.e., North America) that is offshore and submerged, but significantly shallower than the open ocean. The continental shelf usually has a relatively mild slope throughout, followed by a steep drop-off to the open ocean. The limits of the outer continental shelf are approximately 200 nautical miles offshore.

Contraction Scour –

Contraction scour may occur when water accelerates as it flows through a constricted area, where the downstream opening is narrower than the upstream channel or cross-sectional area. The increase in velocity can cause more sediment removal than under non-constricted conditions.

Cross-Shore

– Perpendicular to the shoreline. Also called ‘shore-normal.’

Currents –

Currents are the movement of water generally concentrated in a prevailing direction. Currents may be caused by the rise and fall of tides (‘periodic’ or ‘tidal’ currents), seasonal winds, or may be related to general ocean circulation.