The 3 kilometers long beach between Yen-liao and Fu-long, two places located in the northeastern coast of Taiwan, is reputed as a “golden coast” characterized by biological variety and fine quartz grains of great sightseeing value. The beach is zoned for ecological protection and conservation of oceanic resources, and the adjacent sea area is an important fish ground. Since Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant is under construction on a site near Yen-liao, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Executive Yuan has had consultants monitoring any changes along the beach since 2003, with the data analyzed in combination with the results of surveys by Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to see the plant’s impact on the beach as reference for taking appropriate measures. Taipower will operate the nuclear power plant. The target area of monitoring for this project is a 4-kilometer coastal strip comprising the beach, with Taipower’s industrial wharves (for importing heavy equipment) situated to its north. The project uses horizontal/vertical control surveying and level surveying to map the coastal topography of the target area three times and strikes soundings of the contiguous sea area three times as well. The data is then integrated with satellite imagery sensed and aerial photos taken in 1999-2005 as well as other related historical information for comprehensive analysis of physical shift of the beach. The scope of work for the project consists of (1) surveying controlled by horizontal datums; (2) surveys controlled by vertical datums; (3) mapping of coastal topography; (4) soundings of the adjacent sea area; (5) analysis of satellite imagery and aerial photos; (6) ground surveys and mapping of changes in the beach. The achievement of the project consists of (1) integration of surveying with horizontal and vertical datums provided by Taipower; (2) establishment of a digital terrain model (DTM) of the beach through surveying and sounding; (3) analysis of remote sensing imagery sensed cumulatively to date; (4) analysis of coastline changes based on aerial photos taken cumulatively to date; (5) maps showing changes in the topography of the beach and surface and underwater topography of the adjacent sea area as well as contrast between DTM changes and shifts of the zero-meter coastline.

topographic survey, coastal topography, changes of beach, monitor