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Project

Study of the sedimentation and channel formation in a newly created tidal area.

The project aims to study the geomorphological dynamics of the controlled reduced tidal area Bergenmeersen located along the Scheldt river. This area forms together with other areas along the Scheldt part of the Sigmaplan, created by the Flemish Government as a reaction on the floods of 1976. These project areas are water buffers that can accommodate Scheldt water in the event of a storm surge. Due to the combination of these flood control areas with the creation of a controlled reduced tide inside these areas, they play also an important role in restoring the natural habitat in Flanders. The geomorphology of the CRT Bergenmeersen will be measured with a real time kinematic global navigation satellite system. The height measurement of the mudflats and channel beds shall be done with a precise digital level system. This combined method will give a position accuracy of approximately 2 cm with a height accuracy of 1 mm. These data will be processed in specialised software which will result in a three dimensional map of the Bergenmeersen region with his tidal channels. This three dimensional elevation map will be compared with the original topographic measurement before Bergenmeersen was subjected to the tides of the river Scheldt on the 25th of April 2013. By comparing this original elevation model to the new topographic measurements, the amount of sedimentation and erosion of the tidal channels will be established. These results shall be compared with previous measurements done in the pilot project of the Sigmaplan, Lippenbroek. The results of the observations will deliver new information about the formation of tidal channels and the amount and speed of sedimentation and erosion in newly created controlled reduced tidal areas. This information is important in evaluating the success of the development of the natural habitat, also in the other tidal areas that are being created along the River Scheldt within the framework of the Sigmaplan.
Date:1 Jan 2017 →  31 Dec 2018
Keywords:SEDIMENTS
Disciplines:Geology, Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution
Project type:Collaboration project