Changes in the position and stability of shorelines around Corpus Christi, Oso, and Nueces Bays, Texas Gulf Coast, were documented using historical-monitoring techniques.

On August 18, 1983, Hurricane Alicia crossed the upper Texas Gulf Coast and caused extensive property damage, especially along West Beach of Galveston Island.

Changes in shoreline position occurring for more than a century provide estimates of the relative stability of shorelines and, along the Texas coast, allow comparisons of shoreline changes before and after human modifications became significant.

The purposes of this study were (1) to quantify recent (1974 to 1982) movement of Texas shorelines and vegetation lines by analysis of aerial photographs; (2) to place this movement in historical (pre-1974) context; and (3) to examine the influence of environmental variables such as storms, sea l

Shorelines bordering the bays of Texas are generally not as dynamic as those along the Gulf of Mexico. Nevertheless, the predominantly erosional movement of these bay shorelines translates to large losses of wetlands, arable uplands, and recreational and residential property.