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Located in Westerly, RI (see map), Weekapaug Beach has been surveyed by the University of Rhode Island since 1962. In the Narragansett language, "Weekapaug" translates to "at the end of the pond". During the 18th and 19th centuries, the area was known as Noyes Beach. The area served as a quieter alternative to the bustling tourist destination of nearby Watch Hill.
The well-known Weekapaug Inn was destroyed by the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 and subsequently rebuilt in a more landward location. The photo on right showcases the widespread overwash from the 1938 hurricane which killed 41 people in Misquamicut according to a report in the National Archives by Lewis Greene.
Since surveying began, there have been moderate changes to the Weekapaug beach system relative to other locations.
Aerial image of Weekapaug Beach after the Great New England Hurricane in 1938. Note the substantial sand deposition from storm overwash. Photo taken by the Connecticut National Guard.
Hurricane Sandy & Weekapaug Beach
While the beach was not dramatically displaced during Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012. The dune elevations above 10 feet were eroded about 20 feet landward. Following the storm, the upper beach showed some positive recovery. While the system has seen some recovery since 2012, it has not yet returned to its pre-Sandy condition.
Explore Beach Profiles at Weekapaug Beach
Use the tool below to look at all of the beach survey data between any time period. The default view shows all the profiles since January 2022. Powerful winter storms in 2022-2024 caused about 20 feet of dune erosion, but there has been some recovery since then.
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