13. Sediment problems arising from barrage construction in high energy regimes: an example from the Severn Estuary

Hypertidal regimes, such as the Severn and Fundy, are unique in the extent to which physical processes control their sediment regimes and ecosystems. Compared to other muddy embayments they exhibit a different balance of physical, biological and chemical processes and even show certain unique characteristics. For engineers this implies special problems in modelling, as well as in determining fine sediment strength and its erosion potential. The problems and progress made are explained. For environmentalists it implies a physical constraint, which barrage construction would largely eliminate. Whilst intrinsically suited to being harnessed for tidal power, construction would transfer such embayments across the energy boundary to macrotidal with all this entails

• INTRODUCTION

• THE SEVERN ESTUARY

• FINE GRAINED SEDIMENT REGIME

• SPECIAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM SEVERN ESTUARY SEDIMENT REGIME

• CONCLUSION

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

• REFERENCES