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Title
Transactions of the Symposium on Photo Interpretation

SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION
OF NEGOMBO BEACH CEYLON;
AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPROACH
by L. Herath
Air Survey Branch, Colombo, Ceylon
Abstract The author carried out a photo interpretation study on the coastline in the
Negombo area, Ceylon. Particular stress is laid on the dynamics of the coastal development and
the various factors influencing it are clearly indicated. A number of interesting preliminary
conclusions are drawn, upon which recommendations for coastal protection are based. The
scope of the necessary field-measurements and laboratory investigations is outlined. These
are necessary for a full understanding of the problems concerned and should be carried out
prior to the execution of the recommendations.
Résumé L’auteur a entrepris l’étude photo-interprétative de la côte situé dans la région de
Negombo (Ceylon). Il a porté un intérêt tout particulier aux facteurs dynamiques du dévelop
pement côtier et il mentionne clairement les divers éléments qui l’influencent. Il tire un cer
tain nombre de conclusions provisoires fort intéressantes sur lesquelles s’appuient quelques
recommandations en matière de protection côtière. L’auteur esquisse l’optique dans laquelle
doivent s’effectuer les mesures de terrain et de laboratoire nécessaires à la compréhension
complète des problèmes en question et qu’il importe de faire avant de formuler aucune recom
mandation.
Zusammenfassung Der Verfasser unternahm eine Studie der Luftbild-Auswertung der
Küstlinie des Negombo-Gebietes in Ceylon. Es wurde dabei das Schwergewicht auf die Dyna
mik der Küsten-Entwicklung gelegt. Die verschiedenen Faktoren, welche diese beeinflussen,
sind deutlich veranschaulicht. Eine Anzahl bemerkenswerter, vorläufiger Schlussfolgerungen
dienen als Unterlage für Vorschläge bzgl. des Küstenschutzes. Das Ausmass der nötigen Ge
lände-Vermessungen und der Arbeiten im Laboratorium ist Umrissen. Für das völlige Ver
ständnis der damit zusammenhängenden Probleme ist es nötig, diese Arbeiten vor der In
angriffnahme der vorgeschlagenen Massnahmen auszuführen.
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to gather some information about the various
stages of development of the coast and to classify the major shore line type to
which the Negombo beach belongs. An attempt was also made to study and
determine the best methods of protecting those parts located in front of the
developed area, particularly near Negombo Town. The study is based mainly
on the information gathered from air photographs and the absence of field
observations such as depth measurements, beach profiles, data on wind veloc
ity, grain size distribution etc. is a serious handicap. Such observations are
indispensable for any concrete suggestions about beach protection. Never
theless the information gathered from the air photographs will prove to be
very valuable in guiding a future systematic field survey.
A base map was made from un uncontrolled mosaic of ten excellent photo
graphs with an approximate scale of 1 : 40,000. After systematic photo inter
pretation, the area was divided into three broad units: 1. The Hinterland;
2. The Old Coastal Plain; 3. The Younger Coastal Plain. See also fig. 1.