Formation And Evolution Of Multiple Tidal Inlets

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Coastal and Estuarine Studies, Volume 44. Coastal inlets dot the world's coastline, serving as important conduits for exchange of organic and inorganic materials between the continents and the oceans. In addition, inlets are the focal points of navigation pathways between deep water and coastal ports, a function often requiring alteration of the inlet to assure safe navigation. Particularly for inlets along mobile barrier beaches, frequent dredging is often required to maintain navigation clearances. The papers in this book primarily discuss research relating to tidal inlets along barrier beach systems and illustrate the scientific approaches appropriate for examining multiple inlet stability. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for effective management. By proper and in-depth scientific analysis, more appropriate inlet management can be effected, to the benefit of the environment and the inhabitants of coastal areas. Case examples are included that will be useful to those who may wish to pursue the widermanagement and policy implications.

This study was designed to examine the relationship among channel area, tidal period, tidal prism, and maximum channel velocity. Movable-bed model experiments were run to define an equilibrium area for different tidal periods and sediments. The magnitude of the areas measured provided additional data for the relationship of the tidal prism versus minimum channel area in a size range slightly larger than previous laboratory data in the continuum to very large field inlets. These data may help define the tidal prism-minimum channel cross-sectional area relationship in the midrange channel size.

Stability of Tidal Inlets ...