Abstract
This paper considers the Eems-Dollard estuary in the north of the Netherlands, which is part of the shallow shelf sea the Wadden Sea. This estuary is a highly complex area with tidal flats and deep channels and is characterised by an offshore directed wind, posing a challenge to wave prediction models. As little measurements are available, a measurement campaign is set up to provide field data for verifying and improving these wave models. The paper presents the locations that are most suited for wave measurements in the estuary, insight in the performance of the phase-averaged numerical wave model SWAN, and insight in the processes that play a role in the area around the corner of the Eemshaven. Furthermore, it presents insight into the reliability and applicability of SWAN in this highly complex area. An analysis of propagation effects is performed, as well as a comparison between the SWAN version as used for the Dutch dike safety assessment and the newest version, used for development, which includes the state of the art parameterisations of the physics. Furthermore, modelling is done for a schematised version of the area around the corner of the Eemshaven, considering several different model settings. Large differences occur in the results between the two SWAN versions. These differences are studied in more detail, and the causes of these differences are identified.
Highlights
Wave conditions at flood protection structures are important in the design of these structures
The focus of this paper lies on the Eems-Dollard estuary in the north of the Netherlands, which is part of the Wadden Sea, a shallow shelf sea with several barrier islands, deep tidal channels, shallow tidal flats and wetlands, see Figure 1 and Figure 2
Quantification of propagation effects The wave parameters at Uithuizerwad and the Double Dike resulting from our calculations with the assessment version correspond to the results of the Dutch dike safety assessment, with less than 2% difference in Hm0 at Uithuizerwad and a maximum of 8% difference in Hm0 at the Double Dike, which means that the results are largely representative of the Dutch safety assessment situation
Summary
Wave conditions at flood protection structures are important in the design of these structures. Some noteworthy ones are Eslami Arab et al (2012); Groeneweg et al (2009); Van der Westhuysen et al (2012); Groeneweg et al (2015); Groeneweg & Van Vledder (2005); Van Dongeren et al (2011) These studies mainly focused on the tidal channels and tidal deltas at the transition from the North Sea to the Wadden Sea. The Eems-Dollard estuary (Figure 2) is an even more complex area. This dike protects a large part of the province of Groningen from flooding. These conditions correspond to return periods of 10,000 to 100,000 year
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