Modelling of sediment transport at Exe estuary, Devon, UK

In this paper, results of sediment transport at Exe Estuary, Devon, UK, obtained from a process-based model under a number of wave and tide scenarios, are presented. This study uses a nested modelling system, which consists of an oceanic scale wave model WAM and a tide/surge model POLCOMS, to transform the meteorological information to nearshore wave and tide conditions for a fine resolution local coastal process-based model to carry out detailed predictions of nearshore hydrodynamics and morphodynamics at the study area. The work is focused on studying the impacts of yearly and 1 in 50 year return period storm events on morphology at the mouth of the Exe Estuary and the adjacent coasts. Comparisons of model results are made with the beach survey data carried out by the local authorities in March 2008, in addition to the model tests on both yearly calm and storm conditions in November 2006.