Partners:

• Institute of Marine Studies, University of Plymouth, UK
• Associated British Ports - ABPMER, Southampton, UK
• Hydraulics Research (HR) Wallingford, UK
• Harbour Master at Teignmouth, UK

Objectives:

The management of estuaries requires a good understanding of their multiple uses and complex processes which are intrinsically related. The main objectives of this project are to provide a better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in the morphodynamic evolution of estuaries, and to address the problems that arise when controlling these systems. This kind of approach has a general application and constitutes the state of the art in the management of estuaries all over the world. In order to achieve these objectives and to test two real data sets, Teignmouth (South Devon) and the Humber Estuary (Yorkshire), both in UK which were chosen as case studies, due to the extensive information available for these sites. TELEMAC numerical model was selected to simulate the morphodynamic processes inherent to these environments.

Specific research aspects addressed in this project are:

• Apply TELEMAC to both sites data sets in order to reproduce their basic hydrodynamics and sedimentological processes
• Compare the response of the model to the real systems
• Identify and understand the most important factors that control the morphodynamics of both sites through a sensitivity analysis
• Project most probable morphodynamic scenarios for the future based on real processes developed in the estuaries including man-made activities
• Evaluate the feasibility of TELEMAC being applied with top-down (system based) models to predict longer-term trends on the chosen system
• Assess whether morphodynamic models can be reliable in reproducing real environments
• Contribute to a better understanding of the morphodynamics of british estuarine environments and consequently offer a better quality basis for estuarine management decisions.

Mesh Representation of Field Areas:

Mesh used for simulations at Teignmouth (UK)