Evaluating the Impact of Engineering Works in Megatidal Areas Using Satellite Images—Case of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, France

Abstract

The Mont-Saint-Michel is known worldwide for its unique combination of the natural site and the Medieval abbey at the top of the rocky islet. But the Mont is also located within an estuarine complex, which is considerably silting up. For two decades, large-scale works were planned to prevent the Mont from being surrounded by the expanding salt meadows. The construction of a new dam over the Couesnon River, the digging of two new channels, and the destruction of the causeway were the main operations carried out between 2007 and 2015. The remote sensing approach is fully suitable for evaluating the real impact of the engineering project, particularly the expected large-scale hydrosedimentary effects of reestablishing the maritime landscape around the Mont. The migration of the different channels and the erosion-progradation balance of the vegetation through space and time are the main features to study. Between 2007 and 2023, the erosion of the salt meadows was significant to the south-west of the Mont but more limited to the south-east. During the same period, the sedimentation considerably increased to the north-east of the Bay, which seems to be facing the same silting-up problem. At this stage, the remote-sensing survey indicates mixed results for the engineering project.