DETERMINING A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH FOR MANAGING AN ESTUARY MOUTH – A CASE STUDY

Paul John Canning

doi:10.9753/icce.v34.management.7

Abstract

Estuaries and their floodplains represent locations where significant population, industry and environmental interests exist. Sand spits located at estuary mouths are one factor in influencing both hydrodynamics and geomorphology. As such, their management is important as regards managing both flood and coastal risk, and the evolution of designated flora and fauna. This paper describes a study to develop a way forward for managing Dawlish Warren sand spit, located at the mouth of the Exe Estuary in Devon, UK. Dawlish Warren sand spit is important as it influences geomorphological evolution of the mouth and wider estuary, provides storm sheltering for up to 2,900 properties and national transport infrastructure in the estuary, is an internationally designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and influences the wider Exe Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA).

Highlights

Estuaries and their floodplains represent locations where significant population, industry and environmental interests exist
Whilst the Exe Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) recommended further action in the future to sustain the current level of flood risk, the SDAD SMP2 was not able to clearly define policy for managing coastal risks at Dawlish Warren sand spit, due to the complexity of the sand spits combined Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) functions
As a result the SDAD SMP2 recommended that a strategy study be undertaken to investigate and determine sustainable way forward for FCERM within the Exe Estuary in response to climate change, relating to the future management of Dawlish Warren sand spit

Summary

Introduction

Estuaries and their floodplains represent locations where significant population, industry and environmental interests exist. The management of Dawlish Warren sand spit is of particular importance, as it will influence: Flood risk for 2,900 properties in the present day, and up to 7,000 properties by 2110 due to climate change, in the wider Exe Estuary.

Results

Conclusion