White Dune of Saulkrasti and Incupe River

Balta Kapa Saulkrasti - White Dune of Saulkrasti

Its basis is formed of very fine water-firmed sand and silt which had accumulated during the earliest period of formation of the Baltic Sea (during the existence of the Baltic Ice Lake 10-13 thousand years ago), and the upper part of the slope is formed by the layer of the much younger windblown sand.

You may also see seashores that are more resistant to the wind and wave action, and expose different rock and sediment layers in other places on the Latvian coast.

Here, on the White Dune, the eternal changeability and dynamism of nature may be observed. Just look how the Incupe River bends today over there, at the bottom; or come here during stormy weather!

A special focus in the story about the White Dune is put on the Incupe River since it persistently tries to keep the White Dune white by its flow. The mouth of the Incupe River shifts, moves closer to the White Dune creating broad lowering of the beach. Eventually, the slope of the White Dune is eroded both by the river and storm waves from the Gulf of Riga.

Humans are to blame for this as well. The sand on the slope is an unstable base. The White Dune is fragile: it crumbles if we walk on it. We urge you not to climb over the rails and not to allow other people to do it.

https://www.latvia.travel/en/sight/white-dune-saulkrasti