Abstract
The domain of Chantilly (Oise, France) includes a castle and a garden, both dating from the eighteenth century, which are seen as important legacies of France’s history. Nowadays, the 2.5 km canal that runs through the domain is subject to the phenomenon of silting, leading to the accumulation of sediments within the canal linked to the proliferation of algae, which has a dissuasive effect among visitors. HEC-RAS software (Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System, US army corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., USA) was used to model and understand sediment accumulation within the canal. This model is widely used in the literature tackling sediment transport and accumulation, and allows the forecasting of which stretches of the canal are most susceptible to sediment accumulation. The simulation results highlight an accumulation of sediment near the entrance of the Nonette stream into the canal and a propagation through the canal. The total accumulated volume assessed by the model between 2001 and 2010 equals 3901 m3, when the reconnaissance of the catchment showed the sediment was not a limiting factor. However, the volumes determined are underestimated, as matter brought by vegetation or other systems different from the river (e.g., wind, rainfall) is not considered in the calculation. The quantity of sediment is also subject to uncertainties, as the bathymetry of the canal is not available.
Highlights
Many European castles with parkland and artificial water features, such as canals, moats and water mirrors, have been affected by sediment accumulation for centuries, as well as in recent decades
The castle was completely rebuilt during the nineteenth century and the Grand Canal (GC), which is the masterpiece of the garden, is one of the few infrastructures that has not undergone any changes
In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the calculation of the volume of sediment accumulated in the GC to the value of this time step, the result of the simulation of a 5-day period with a constant flow rate equal to the mean flow is compared to the result of the detailed simulation of the same period with a 2 h step
Summary
Many European castles with parkland and artificial water features, such as canals, moats and water mirrors, have been affected by sediment accumulation for centuries, as well as in recent decades. The castle was completely rebuilt during the nineteenth century and the Grand Canal (GC), which is the masterpiece of the garden, is one of the few infrastructures that has not undergone any changes. Preserving this historical heritage is of the utmost importance for Chantilly Castle’s conservation. Turbid waters and algae growth devalue the sporting conditions of the Chantilly event This has contributed to a reduction in the number of registrations for the triathlon, as the manager of the triathlon told the authors, and is an additional loss of income for the castle. The cost of dredging the canal is a problem that cannot be compensated by the income from visits to the domain alone
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