Managing Tidal Inlets

Authors

  • Jonathan Akin French 11012 Bittersweet Court, Ellicott City, MD 21042, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jms.v1i2.850

Abstract

Sandy inlets are in a dynamic equilibrium between wave-driven littoral drift acting to close them, and tidal flows keeping them open. Their beds are in a continual state of suspension and deposition, so their bathymetry and even location are always in flux. Even so, a nearly linear relationship between an inlet’s cross-sectional flow area and the inshore tidal prism is maintained - except when major wind and/or runoff events act to close or widen an inlet. Inlet location can be stabilized by jetties, but dredging may still be necessary to maintain a navigable channel. Armoring with rock large enough to resist erosion can protect an inlet bed or river mouth from excessive storm flow erosion.  Armoring can also be used as a stratagem to close inlets.

Keywords:

Inlet, Littoral drift, Shields parameter, Tidal prism, Cobble armoring, Coastal

References

[1] Shore Protection Manual, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1984, 1: 1-14 to 1-15.

[2] O’Brien, M.P., “Estuary tidal prisms related to entrance areas,” Civil Engineering, 1931,1(8): 738-39.

[3] Bruun, P., and F. Gerritsen, “Stability of Coastal Inlets,” J.Waterways and Harbors Division, ASCE, 1958, 84(3): 1644.

[4] Wiegel, R.A., Oceanographical Engineering [M], Prentice-Hall, 1963: 380.

[5] Shields, A., “Anwendung der Ähnlichkeitsmechanik und der Turbulenzforschungs auf die Geschiebebewegung,” Mitteilung der Preuss. Versuchsanst. für Vasserbau und Schiffbau., Berlin, Heft 26, 1936.

[6] Rouse, H.W. (ed.), Engineering Hydraulics [M], Wiley, 1950: 790.

[7] Shore Protection Manual, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1984, 2: 6-53 to 6-76.

[8] Spaulding, M., personal communication, 1982.

[9] French, J.A, and B.M. Harley, “Tidal Dam Closure in Singapore,” presented to the Hydraulics Group, Boston Society of Civil Engineers, 1985.

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Vol. 1 , Iss. 2 (October 2019)

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Articles

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