Intense Sediment Transport Research Articles

Evolutions of hydrodynamics and sediment transport pattern in the Qiantang Estuary (China) in response to multidecadal embankment constructions

Since the late 1960s, large-scale coastal embankments have been constructed along the Qiantang Estuary (QE, China) covering both the Qiantang River (QR) and the Hangzhou Bay (HZB) to reduce the tidal prism and thus stabilize the channel. While most previous studies have reported their relevant impacts on hydrodynamic and sediment transport in the HZB, a more comprehensive investigation covering the whole QR + HZB system remains lacking, so as a quantitative analysis of the tidal prism and the channel stability. Therefore, numerical case studies have been conducted to examine evolutions of hydrodynamics and sediment transport of the QR + HZB system in response to different coastal embankments (i.e., no embankment as in 1958; QR embankment as in 1984; QR embankment + part of HZB embankment as in 2004; both QR and HZB embankment as in 2016). It is shown that the flood tidal asymmetry in the QR and the tidal range in the HZB are significantly increased, implying an intensified tidal distortion and thus a strengthened river role after embankments. While this intensification does not change the direction (from HZB to QR) of the net sediment transport, all of the sediment exchange rates [e.g., the landward (during flood tides) and seaward (during ebb tides) sediment transport volumes, as well as the net sediment transport rate between them] exhibits obvious decreasing trends. In addition, strong deposition is observed in the Jianshan (JS) reach, which has led to further increase of the underwater giant sandbar. The constructions of embankments have facilitated the initial goal of reducing tidal prism in most part of the QR + HZB system, except some local parts of the HZB, where increased tidal prism can be observed as the effect of the enlarged tidal range overwhelms that of embankments. Moreover, the channel stability was greatly improved as the mainstream has been mostly converged to the reach centerline and the width-depth ratio of the channel has been considerably reduced. The present investigation of the QE regulation could be indicative for the management of other estuaries in the world.

Morphological response of gravel bed rivers near a knickpoint: Effect of bars on dynamic equilibrium river profile

AbstractGeomorphological evolution is one of the main factors that increases flood damage in small or medium rivers located in upstream river reaches. These types of flood damage have been increasing at knickpoints where the riverbed slope and river width change abruptly and are likely to cause non‐equilibrium conditions for sediment transport during floods. Therefore, it is important to understand the non‐equilibrium morphological response at the knickpoint and the resulting new dynamic equilibrium state under given external forces. The effects of two‐dimensional (2D) morphological features on the dynamic equilibrium riverbed profile, however, have not been specifically studied because the methods currently in use for calculating equilibrium profiles are based on zero‐ or one‐dimensional (0D or 1D) modeling. Here, we perform numerical calculations using the 2D morphodynamic model iRIC‐Nays2DH to clarify the dynamic equilibrium profile and the process of reaching a dynamic equilibrium state. We also use an existing 1D model to show the 2D effect in the dynamic equilibrium state. To understand this, we set up three channels: slope transition point, width transition point, and both the slope and width transition point. 1D results show a constant slope profile in channels with constant width and upward‐convex profiles in channels with width expansion at the equilibrium state, owing to the adjustment of the difference in sediment transport volume in the two reaches with different widths by changing the slopes. In contrast, the 2D results show that the alternate bars create a small autogenic knickpoint even in the straight channel and significantly dampen sediment deposition at the width expansion point, as seen in the 1D model result. This was because the bars' shape increased the volume of sediment transport because the shape of the bars concentrated flow. These results suggest that 2D morphological features, such as fluvial bars, play a significant role in the equilibrium riverbed profile.

Numerical investigation of grain size effect on velocity-skewed oscillatory sheet flow

Wave-induced sheet flow leads to intense sediment transport. Fine sand and medium/coarse sand exhibit opposite directions of net sediment transport under velocity-skewed oscillatory sheet flows. A newly developed two-phase mixture model is employed to simulate the sediment transport under these conditions. The model accounts for particle stress, two-phase momentum exchange, and turbulence modulation. The effects of grain size on flow characteristics and sediment transport are primarily investigated. The model effectively reproduces the spatial and temporal distributions of two-phase velocities and sediment concentration as well as the periodic distribution of erosion depth. Comparisons between configurations with medium and fine sand demonstrate that the grain size impacts sediment transport in two main ways. First, the grain size influences the periodic variations in erosion depth and the quantity of suspended sediment. A decrease in the grain size increases the phase residual and phase lag, enhancing offshore sediment transport. Second, suspended sediments modulate the flow dynamics within the oscillatory boundary layer. Through the mobile bed effect and density stratification, the grain size affects two-phase velocities, turbulence, and net sediment transport.

Study on the motion characteristics of bedload sediment particles under different sediment transport intensities

AbstractBedload studies at the particle scale may help grasp the essence of the problem. Existing studies suffer from short filming durations, limited data volume, and a narrow range of sediment transport intensity variations. This paper employs the high‐speed photography technology and conducts experimental studies on bedload particle motion under 8 different sediment transport intensities. Using the latest image processing technology, over 6 million sediment particle coordinate points and nearly 400,000 particle motion trajectory curves were automatically obtained and used to compare the motion characteristics of bedload particles under different sediment transport intensities. The results show that under low sediment transport intensity, both the number of moving particles and particle motion velocity contribute to the bedload sediment transport rate, while under high‐intensity conditions, the transport rate mainly depends on the number of moving particles. The probability density distribution of sediment transport rate is concentrated and varies within a small range under low‐intensity conditions, exhibiting a tailing phenomenon. In contrast, under high‐intensity conditions, the range of sediment transport rate values increases, and the probability density curve tends to be symmetric, more closely approximating a normal distribution. Additionally, the paper compares the longitudinal and transverse motion velocities of particles and the coefficient of variation of the bedload sediment transport rate.

Shoreline Changes and Sediment Transport along Nhat Le Coast, Vietnam

One of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Vietnam, Nhat Le, has recently experienced severe erosion as a result of the ensemble interaction of natural factors, such as tropical cyclones, extreme weather events, and human activities. Consequently, negative impacts on tourism and social and economic development have been recorded. This paper aims to provide a deep understanding of the changes in shoreline and longshore sediment transport at Nhat Le estuary based on two modules of LITDRIFT and LITLINE of the LITPACK software package combined with geospatial analysis. The rate of change statistics is calculated using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) from 30-year multi-temporal satellite data (1989-2019) for multiple historical shoreline positions. The Module of LITDRIFT is employed to estimate sediment transport and the shoreline position calculated from the LITLINE module. These data are then compared with measured topographic data and satellite images. Wave climate conditions are incorporated into the LITDRIFT module to identify the volume of sediment transport along the coast on seasonal and annual bases. The results illustrate that a mean erosion rate of about 2 m per year was observed in the southern sandspit of Nhat Le from 1989 to 2019. This rate reaches 4.5 m per year during 2009-2019.

Influence of seagrass meadow length on beach morphodynamics: An experimental study

A novel flume experiment was conducted to compare the sheltering effect of surrogate seagrass meadows of two different lengths against a bare beach (benchmark). The analyses focused on assessing the impact of meadow cross-shore extent on wave height attenuation, behaviour of wave orbital velocity components, sediment transport, and shoreline erosion. Throughout the tests conducted in the large-scale CIEM wave flume at LIM/UPC Barcelona, meadow density and submergence ratio remained constant, while irregular waves were run over an initial 1:15 sand beach profile. In both meadow layouts, a persistent decrease in wave height from the offshore area in front of the meadow to the breaking zone was found. This reduction was directly correlated with the length of the seagrass meadow. As a result of the reduction in wave energy, less erosion occurred at the shoreline in accordance with the decrease in wave height. The mean velocities exhibited changes in the velocity profile from the meadow area to the immediate zone behind the meadow, a phenomenon not observed in more onshoreward positions. Orbital velocities displayed a reduction exclusively for the long meadow case. This decrease was persistent up to the breaking zone. As a consequence of these changes, the long meadow layout led to a decrease in the volume of sediment transport and a breaker bar closer to the shoreline. The short meadow layout resulted in a higher volume of sediment transport compared to the long meadow layout, although still less than the benchmark layout. Furthermore, in the short meadow layout, the final bar was situated in a location similar to that observed in the benchmark layout.

Bridges in small basins with intense sediment transport and debris flow

In Italy a significant part of the bridge collapses are due to hydraulic causes. Despite this, the Italian technical construction standards NTC 2018 provide few indications about the design and verification criteria of bridges with respect to river processes. In 2022, a working group on the "Hydraulic Compatibility of Bridges" (sites.google.com/view/gii-ponti) was set up within the Italian Group of Hydraulics (GII - Gruppo Italiano di Idraulica), with the aim of formulating proposals for good practices and guidelines for assessing the bridge hydraulic compatibility, as a basis for both bridge safety and flood risk analysis. The working subgroup on "small basins" aims to provide analysis tools for small river basins: they have peculiar features, requiring the adoption of appropriate criteria for the analysis of forcing scenarios and safety measures to be implemented for the hydraulic compatibility of river-crossing bridges. Particular attention is devoted to climatic changes that, although gradual, can induce strongly non-linear responses. The present manuscript reviews the current best practice for analyzing the hydrologic response, the sediment balance, the flow propagation and the dynamic impact force against bridges in the case of mountain basins, pointing out limitations and possible future developments required in order to develop guidelines for bridge safety and flood hazard assessment.

Characteristics of Flow Hydrophysics Variables and Flood Potential Around Kuala Jengki Estuary Manado City

Flood disasters along the river resulted from damage to flood barrier construction along the river bank. The damage to the flood retaining wall is technically caused by the very large hydrophysical parameters of the river flow. In theory, the flow mass density parameter shows the concentration of sediment transported through one cross-section. As a result of changes in the volume of sediment transport, there will be an increase in flow energy, followed by changes in large water masses, and this is seen as a destructive force component in some equivalent places or riverbanks, which can physically be formulated in the form of a model function. It is important to do a map of the hydrophysical character variable flow and flood potential along Kuala Jengki estuary Manado City, it is important to do because the estuary is often flooded. Measurement of the hydrophysical variable mass flow density was carried out at a depth of 0.6 rivers at high and low tides. The mass density of the flow is the mass of water containing transport sediment divided by its volume. The mass of water (sample) is measured using a scale, while the volume is measured using a measuring cup or another container that has a volume measurement. For the presentation of density data profiles and other analytical purposes, the measured data were reproduced using linear interpolation techniques. The mass density data modeling was carried out using an experimental function iteration technique containing constants. The results of the research at high tide, the position which is approximately 275 meters at measurement points 10 to 13 at a distance of 675 meters to 950 meters becomes a location that is very prone to river lip damage if there is a rise in water level due to high rainfall, or a position where it becomes flood-prone when the flow density increases, along with an increase in the volume of river water, which is followed by changes in river flow velocity carrying various types of sediment. At a distance of 165 meters at low tide, the measurement position is between 10 and 13, there is an increase in large flow discharge accompanied by an increase in flow velocity that carries flow mass (mass density) with various types of sediment transport. In this condition, the location which is 165 meters away according to the model map becomes prone to river lip damage, which means that it is a location that has the potential for flooding. In contrast to measurement positions 5 and 6 at high tide, there is a significant increase in the low mass density, while at low tide this condition does not occur, this is because the flow velocity at low tide does not change significantly, causing the mass flow density to be relatively the same.

Quantitative Analysis of the Influence of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir on Water and Sediment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River

The Xiaolangdi Reservoir is the second largest water conservancy project in China and the last comprehensive water conservancy hub on the mainstream of the Yellow River, playing a vital role in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. To study the effects of the construction of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir (1997-2001) on the runoff and sediment transport in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, runoff and sediment transport data from 1963 to 2021 were based on the hydrological stations of Huayuankou, Gaocun, and Lijin. The unevenness coefficient, cumulative distance level method, Mann-Kendall test method, and wavelet transform method were used to analyze the runoff and sediment transport in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River at different time scales. The results of the study reveal that the completion of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir in the interannual range has little impact on the runoff in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and a significant impact on sediment transport. The interannual runoff volumes of Huayuankou station, Gaocun station, and Lijin station were reduced by 20.1%, 20.39%, and 32.87%, respectively. In addition, the sediment transport volumes decreased by 90.03%, 85.34%, and 83.88%, respectively. It has a great influence on the monthly distribution of annual runoff. The annual runoff distribution is more uniform, increasing the runoff in the dry season, reducing the runoff in the wet season, and bringing forward the peak flow. The runoff and Sediment transport have obvious periodicity. After the operation of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir, the main cycle of runoff increases and the second main cycle disappears. The main cycle of Sediment transport did not change obviously, but the closer it was to the estuary, the less obvious the cycle was. The research results can provide a reference for ecological protection and high-quality development in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

Reconstructing paleosinuosity and sedimentary mass balance in the Upper Triassic Shinarump paleoriver in Utah and Arizona, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT The Upper Triassic Shinarump Member forms the basal part of the Chinle Formation in the western interior United States and was deposited by a continental-scale fluvial system which ran approximately 2,500 km from the Ouachita Orogen in the east into the Auld Lang Syne marine basin in the west. Previous studies of the Shinarump Member have concluded that the deposits represent a braided-river system but have not produced estimates for paleo-sinuosity and paleo-discharge. Recent advances in sedimentology allow detailed morphometric assessment of the nature of the river system that deposited the Shinarump Member enabling us to produce quantitative estimates for these parameters. We therefore present architectural data from the Shinarump Member in northern Arizona and Utah, supported by lithofacies data and 39 sandstone petrographic analyses, and a dataset of 4,298 paleocurrent measurements from trough cross-strata. Lithofacies and architectural analysis supports previous interpretations of the Shinarump and equivalent strata as braided-river deposits. Petrographic analysis shows that the Shinarump is dominated by monocrystalline quartz and exhibits low spatial variation in composition, ranging from 85.4% to 99.8% total quartz. Paleocurrent measurements are used to calculate the channel sinuosity of the fluvial system as varying between 1.02 and 1.77, with a median value of 1.33 (compared to the Yangtze River, ranging from 1.05 to 1.50 and the Ganges–Brahmaputra, ranging from 1.05 to 1.13 in their lower 250 km). Paleohydrological estimates using data from the architectural surveys produce slope estimates from 2.01 × 10–4 to 6.51 × 10–4 and bankfull discharge estimates from 4.36 × 103 m3 s–1 to 2.38 × 104 m3 s–1 for individual channels, comparable to extant continental-scale fluvial systems. Estimates of lifetime sediment transport volume range from 7.75 × 104 km3 to 6.09 × 105 km3, which are in order-of-magnitude agreement with estimates for the volume of the depositional sink (1.35 × 105 km3 to 4.17 × 105 km3). These results demonstrate the potential for paleohydrologic estimates to provide new avenues for analysis of heavily studied units.

Experimental Comparison of Inclined Flows with and without Intense Sediment Transport: Flow Resistance and Surface Elevation

The effect of the intense transport of lightweight sediment without turbulent suspension (Shields numbers of mixture flow from 0.34 to 1.80) on resistance and surface elevation of water flow in an open channel is experimentally examined. Flows over fixed and mobile plane beds, at the same water flowrate and bed slope, are compared. Detailed measurements—including distributions of solids and velocity—permit to identify flow interfaces and determine the role of sediment transport on flow resistance. Two friction factors for mobile bed flows are introduced: one for water only and another one for the mixture. The first seems to be insensitive to the water submergence, while the latter follows the classic formula for the hydraulically rough regime: both increase with respect to the equivalent clear water flow. The water surface elevation seems unaltered by the presence of sediment transport, thus reducing the need for the modelling of the evolution of an erodible bed surface in, at least, some routine applications in fluvial hydraulics.

A multi-dimensional two-phase mixture model for intense sediment transport in sheet flow and around pipeline

A two-phase mixture model is developed to simulate intense sediment transport covering the bed-load layer and suspended load layer. The proposed model maintains high accuracy as an Eulerian two-phase model but requires low computational cost. The proposed model applies an analytical formula for relative velocity between phases. The dense granular flow rheology is employed to close particle stress economically. The closure of Reynolds stress considers turbulence damping and small-scale fluctuation of fluid–particle interaction and particle collision. A damping function is adopted in eddy viscosity for extra turbulence damping from inter-particle interaction. The optimal exponent of the damping function refers to sediment shape and size. The sediment diffusion includes turbulence diffusion and shear-induced self-diffusion originating from dense sediment. The proposed model is validated by several sets of sheet flow cases (Shields number Θ = 0.44–2.20 and particle Reynolds number Res = 1.6–603.0) and shows a wide applicable range and good accuracy. The small-scale fluctuation and shear-induced self-diffusion improve the computation in the lower sheet flow layer where volumetric sediment concentration is larger than 0.2. Furthermore, the proposed model shows reasonable applicability on the multi-dimensional pipeline scour development. The scour profiles are well predicted and the Brier Skill Score = 0.809. However, the proposed model does not perform the wake characteristic around the pipeline sufficiently, and slight scour difference exists between the simulation and experiment.

Depth-Resolved Modelling of Intra-Swash Morphodynamics Induced by Solitary Waves

We present a fully coupled 2DV morphodynamic model, implemented in OpenFOAM® that is capable of simulating swash-zone morphodynamics of sandy beaches. The hydrodynamics are described by the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with a k−ω turbulence model and the Volume of Fluid (VoF) approach for discriminating between air and water. Sediment transport is described in terms of bedload and suspended load transport. We show that the default divergence scheme in OpenFOAM can become numerically unstable and lead to negative sediment concentrations, and propose a solution to avoid this problem. The model performance is assessed in terms of surface elevation, flow velocities, runup, suspended sediment concentrations, bed profile evolution and sediment transport volumes by comparing with measurements of field-scale (wave height of 0.6 m) solitary waves. The model shows reasonable agreement in terms of hydrodynamics and predicts the correct sediment transport volumes, although the deposition is predicted more onshore compared to the measurements. This is partially attributed to an overprediction of the runup. The model shows that the suspended sediment concentration displays a strong vertical dependence. These results show the potential of depth-resolving models in providing more insight into morphodynamic processes in the swash zone, particularly with respect to vertical structures in the flow and suspended sediment transport.

Morphologic evolution of bifurcated reaches in a macrotidal estuary with mountain streams

A macrotidal estuary with mountain streams (MEMS) is characterized by rapidly rising and falling flood peaks and large tidal ranges and is a typical estuary type with strong flow dynamics that is found worldwide. Understanding the morphodynamic evolution of MEMSs has great significance for river management. The roles of the mountain stream river flood process and macrotides on the morphology evolution still needs further quantitative study. Taking the Oujiang Estuary as an example, the evolution mechanisms of bifurcated reaches of a MEMS are studied by analyzing the hydrologic and topographic data and using a two-dimensional numerical model for flow-sediment transport. The results show that (1) under the combined actions of runoff and macrotides, sediment transport is active and morphological evolution is intensive, the main branch and subbranch historically switch frequently, and erosion generally occurs in wet years, while deposition occurs in dry years. (2) The river flood process of mountain streams causes rapid erosion, which rises and falls rapidly with a kurtosis index (K) of approximately 2.9. There is a logarithmic relation between the sediment transport load and K. The volume of sediment transport will be 40% larger than the river flood process with K = 1.2 as for the Yangtze River. (3) Macrotides with large tidal ranges could enhance the discharge asymmetry (ψ). When the ψ is greater than 1, the side branches are dominated by flood tides. Although the current study is site specific, the results are expected to provide a valuable reference for sustainable management in similar estuaries.

Air flow and sediment transport dynamics on a foredune with contrasting vegetation cover

AbstractWind flow and sediment transport across a northern California beach‐foredune system with two adjacent vegetation types are examined for the same incident wind conditions. The invasive Ammophila arenaria was taller (c. 1 m) with denser coverage than the neighbouring Elymus mollis alliance canopy (c. 0.65 m), which consisted of a variety of interspersed native plants. Wind flow was measured with rotating cup and sonic anemometry, while sediment transport was measured using laser particle counters. Wind speed profiles over the two canopies were significantly different because of differing vegetation height, coverage density, and stem stiffness. In both cases, there was a lower zone of semi‐stagnant air (below about 0.3 m) that transitioned upward to a shear zone comprising the upper part of the canopy and immediately above. The shear zone above the Elymus canopy was relatively thin (confined to 0.3–0.5 m above‐ground) whereas the shear zone in the Ammophila canopy was thicker extending from a height of about 0.5h (h is average plant height) to about 1.5h. Vertical profiles of Reynolds shear stress (RSS) and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) are consistent with the shear layer structure over these two contrasting vegetation canopies. The degree of topographically‐forced and vegetation‐enhanced flow steering was significant, with Ammophila strongly shifting the highly oblique (55°) incident wind to essentially shore‐perpendicular trajectories. In comparison, the shore‐perpendicular steering effect was not as pronounced for the Elymus canopy. Sediment transport intensity on the beach was continuous, but decreased progressively to the dune toe, and then dropped to essentially zero once the vegetation canopy was encountered (on the stoss slope). Overall, the study illustrates the significant differences in wind flow and turbulence conditions that may occur in contrasting plant canopies on foredunes, suggesting that greater attention needs to be placed on vegetation roughness characteristics in models of foredune morphodynamics and sediment transport potential.

Coupled modeling of rainfall-induced floods and sediment transport at the catchment scale

Rainfall-induced floods may trigger intense sediment transport on erodible catchments, especially on the Loess Plateau in China, which in turn modifies the floods. However, the role of sediment transport in modifying floods has to date remained poorly understood. Concurrently, traditional hydrodynamic models for rainfall-induced floods typically ignore sediment transport, which may lead to inaccurate results for highly erodible catchments. Here, a two-dimensional (2D) coupled shallow water hydro-sediment-morphodynamic (SHSM) model, based on the Finite Volume Method on unstructured meshes and parallel computing, is proposed and applied to simulate rainfall-induced floods in the Zhidan catchment on the Loess Plateau, Shaanxi Province, China. For six historical floods of return periods up to 2 years, the numerical results compare well with observations of discharge hydrographs at the catchment outlet. The computed runoff-sediment yield relation is quantitatively reasonable as compared with other catchments under similar geographical conditions. It is revealed that neglecting sediment transport leads to underestimation of peak discharge of the flood by 14%–45%, whilst its effect on the timing of the peak discharge varies for different flood events. For 18 design floods with return periods of 10–500 years, sediment transport may lead to higher peak discharge by around 9%–15%. The temporal pattern of concentrated rainfall in a short period may lead to a larger exponent value of the power function for the runoff-sediment yield relation. The current finding leads us to propose that incorporating sediment transport in rainfall-induced flood modeling is warranted. The SHSM model is applicable to flood and sediment modeling at the catchment scale in support of risk management and water and soil management.

Torrential Hazard Prevention in Alpine Small Basin through Historical, Empirical and Geomorphological Cross Analysis in NW Italy

Debris flow is one of the most dangerous natural processes in mountain regions and it occur in a wide variety of environments throughout the world. In the Italian Alps, some tens of thousands of damaging debris flow and, in general, torrential floods associated to intense sediment transport in secondary catchments have been documented in the last 300 years. These have caused socio-economic damage, damage to anthropogenic structures or infrastructures and in many cases casualties. Often, in the same basins, the occurrence of debris-flow processes recurs many years later. Prediction can often be spatial and based on the magnitude of the largest known process, while the temporal forecast is the most uncertain. It is also possible to increase the resilience of the population and of the territory. The present study aims at investigating different levels of debris-flow hazard in urban areas on Alpine alluvial fans and proposes a strategy for debris-flow prevention based on historical research and on a simplified analytical approach, methods that also involve relatively low costs. For such analysis, Ischiator stream catchment (ca. 20 km2) and its alluvial fan (NW Italy) were selected. This area was partly affected by historical torrential flood associated to intense sediment transport and debris-flow processes. Present-day instability conditions along the slope and the stream network were detected and synthesized through surveys and aerial photo interpretation integrated by satellite images (period 1954–2021). An estimation of the potential amount of moving detritus, referred to as debris flow, was carried out regarding the June 1957 debris-flow event, based on the predictive models. The individual hazard index value was estimated based on different methods. The results indicate that 56% of the area is exposed to flood associated to intense sediment transport hazard, which fluctuates from high to very high levels; such results are supported by debris-flow historical records. Since today almost half of the settlement (Bagni di Vinadio) is located on potentially risk-exposed areas, the urban evolution policy adopted after the 1957 event failed to manage the risk connection to debris-flow activity.

Emerging Downdrift Erosion by Twin Long-Range Jetties on an Open Mesotidal Muddy Coast, China

Downdrift shoreline recession associated with the construction of a shore-crossing hard structure represents one of coastal erosional hotspots that must be addressed for an integrated, sustainable coastal zone management. To prevent siltation within the navigation channel, two rubber-mounted jetties were installed at the Sheyang River mouth on the open mesotidal muddy coast in Jiangsu province, China, in October 2013. The north jetty is 7.9 km long, while the south jetty is 7.8 km long. The net longshore sediment transport is from the north to the south due to flood-tide dominance. As disclosed by high-resolution satellite images, a 36-km-long downdrift shoreline stretch had experienced remarkable retreats at alongshore varying rates by March 2019. The eroding shoreline planform does not resemble a classic “S” shape, a crescentic shape, or a parabolic shape but an irregularly indented curved shape. Transect topographic survey also reveals an almost immediate response of the downdrift coast from the original accretionary scenery to an erosional regime, with the erosion front translocating downcoast at a much faster speed than a normal speed of 1–1.5 km/yr. Using FVCOM and SWAN, 2DH process-based numerical simulations are performed to simulate the flow, the sediment transport, and the yearly-magnitude accretion/erosion distribution in the jetty-affected area by a representative tidal force and an annual-magnitude wave force. The results demonstrate that the reciprocal tidal flow is predominantly responsible for the muddy sediment accretions at downdrift intertidal and surf zones shallower than a 4.0-m isobath, whereas big wind waves play a decisive role in triggering and developing the downdrift erosional process. The predicted spatial extent of the downdrift erosional segment matches closely the actual eroding front. The loss of the net annual longshore sediment transport volume, i.e., 3.08 million m3 due to the blockage by the twin jetties is recovered from a much larger spatial extent than the 36-km-long retreating shoreline stretch. With regard to the Bruun model, the one-line model, the headland-bay model, and the 2DH numerical model, the potential maximum recession length and the planform shape of the downdrift erosional shoreline arc are further elaborated to gain new insights into the spatial and temporal impact of a hard structure on the adjacent shoreline and flat (beach).

Measuring and modelling nearshore recovery of an eroded beach in Lake Michigan, USA

Erosion by storms and high-water levels impacts large enclosed basins; however there have been few attempts to numerically model cumulative impacts in large lakes. Antecedent morphology is a large determinant of coastal sensitivity to storms, so capturing the beach recovery is important for overall vulnerability assessment. To study beach recovery, we apply the numerical model XBeach to simulate a period of low to moderate wave energy when beach recovery typically occurs. Surveys were conducted one month apart during summer of 2020 on the west coast of Lake Michigan and used to initiate model runs and evaluate model performance. XBeach was used to propagate offshore wave conditions from a Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS) node ∼1 km offshore into the nearshore, and results were compared to measurements from a nearshore pressure sensor. We tested for the optimal value of the asymmetry/skewness parameter (facua) for model-data convergence. We evaluated model skill using a Mean Square Error Skill Score (MSESS) and a decomposition. In our repeat surveys we observed slight landward migration of longshore bars and the initiation of bar welding to the shoreline but, overall, changes in bathymetry were small. We found that XBeach transforms offshore waves well and sediment transport volume was accurately predicted by the model. However, XBeach did not capture the morphologic evolution under low energy conditions, preventing simulation of beach recovery. Overall, higher values of facua resulted in improved skill scores and modeled nearshore morphology that was more similar to the morphology measured in our surveys.

Analysis of the evolution pattern and causes of downstream gigantic hydraulic projects

Abstract The Jingjiang reach, located in the middle Yangtze River, downstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), is a typical curved reach. After TGR impoundment, the evolution behaviors of the Jingjiang reach changed, mainly because one or more original factors, including geological conditions, existing projects, bending radius, upper reaches' regimes, and incoming water and sediment changed. In this paper, these influencing factors were investigated by using the measured data and the mathematical models that were proposed by the authors in a previous paper, and consequently, the evolution laws of the curved reach were analyzed. The results showed that the existing river nodes reduced the influence of the upstream river regime on the evolution of curve reaches and also slowed the speed of convex bank scouring and concave bank depositing. Constructed projects could reduce sediment transport intensity from the concave bank to the convex bank. The decrease in incoming sediment after TGR impoundment was beneficial to convex bank scouring. The increase in median water period duration was favorable for convex bank scouring and concave bank depositing. Both convex bank and concave bank were scoured when the incoming sediment concentration decreased sharply. The sediment concentration of suspended load would stabilize near the saturation point, and the riverbed would be scoured when there is sediment concentration under the saturation point, while the riverbed would be deposited when the sediment concentration reaches the saturation point.