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Littoral transport rates in the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell: a process-based model analysis

Journal of Coastal Research
By: , , and 

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Abstract

Identification of the sediment transport patterns and pathways is essential for sustainable coastal zone management of the heavily modified coastline of Santa Barbara and Ventura County (California, USA). A process-based model application, based on Delft3D Online Morphology, is used to investigate the littoral transport potential along the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell (between Point Conception and Mugu Canyon). An advanced optimalization procedure is applied to enable annual sediment transport computations by reducing the ocean wave climate in 10 wave height - direction classes. Modeled littoral transport rates compare well with observed dredging volumes, and erosion or sedimentation hotspots coincide with the modeled divergence and convergence of the transport gradients. Sediment transport rates are strongly dependent on the alongshore variation in wave height due to wave sheltering, diffraction and focusing by the Northern Channel Islands, and the local orientation of the geologically-controlled coastline. Local transport gradients exceed the net eastward littoral transport, and are considered a primary driver for hot-spot erosion.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Littoral transport rates in the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell: a process-based model analysis
Series title Journal of Coastal Research
Issue Special Issue 56
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher Coastal Education and Research Foundation
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 5 p.
First page 947
Last page 951
Conference Title 10th International Coastal Symposium
Conference Location Lisbon, Portugal
Conference Date April 13-18, 2009
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Santa Barbara Littoral Cell
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details