Abstract
The temporal and spatial scales controlling the morphodynamics of barrier-inlet systems are critical components of regional sediment management practice. This paper discusses regional sediment management methods employed at multiple barrier-inlet systems, with case studies from West-Central Florida. A decision-support tool is proposed for regional sediment management with discussion of its application to barrier-inlet systems. Connecting multiple barrier islands and inlets at appropriate spatio-temporal scales is critical in developing an appropriately scoped sediment management plan for a barrier-inlet system. Evaluating sediment bypassing capacity and overall inlet morphodynamics can better inform regional sand sharing along barrier-inlet coastlines; particularly where sediment resources are scarce and a close coupling between inlet dredging and beach placement is vital to long-term sustainable management. Continued sea-level rise and anthropogenic activities may intensify the need for investigating longer-term processes and expanding regional planning at a centennial timescale, and are acknowledged as challenging tasks for RSM studies. Specifically, we suggested that a regionally focused, multi-inlet study were necessary for management plan of individual inlet for the west-central Florida case studies. Key recommendations based on the case studies include: 1) allow the natural sediment bypassing to be re-established at Blind Pass inlet through reduced ebb-tidal delta mining, 2) reduce the interruption to sediment bypassing at John's Pass and Pass-a-Grille inlets through an improved design of the dredged mining areas located along sediment bypassing pathways, 3) allow for continued natural sediment bypassing at Bunces Pass, and, 4) incorporate the cyclic swash-bar attachment sediment bypassing into the management plan at Bunces Pass and adjacent barrier-islands.
Highlights
In the United States (U.S.), barrier islands comprise much of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts
Sediment transport along barrier islands eventually encounters tidal inlets resulting in a complicated exchange of sediments through which they may be trapped within the barrier or basin, or, are eventually bypassed across the barrier-inlet system
Regional Sediment Management (RSM) planning for barrier-inlet systems benefits from incorporating a comprehensive understanding of morphological feature evolution and the spatial and temporal impacts from anthropogenic modifications to multiple connected barrier islands and tidal inlets
Summary
In the United States (U.S.), barrier islands comprise much of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Barrier-inlet systems refer to the interconnected chain of barrier islands, dissected by tidal inlets, through which sediment is exchanged across the littoral zone of the open coast and the estuary (Davis, 1994). Sediment transport along barrier islands eventually encounters tidal inlets resulting in a complicated exchange of sediments through which they may be trapped within the barrier or basin, or, are eventually bypassed across the barrier-inlet system. Many of the barrier islands in the U.S are heavily developed, with barrier beaches serving as major tourist attractions. The tidal inlets between the barrier islands serve as navigation channels for both commercial and recreational vessels. Ensuring navigation safety through the tidal inlet waterways and maintaining the health of barrierisland beaches poses a major challenge in coastal and ocean management in the U.S and worldwide
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