Understanding the Physical Processes Occurring Within a New Coastal Managed Realignment Site, Medmerry, Sussex, UK

In September 2013, the largest Open Coast Managed Realignment scheme in Europe was breached in the southern UK and Medmerry Nature Reserve created. Focusing specifically on the newly created intertidal areas, this paper presents observations and a sample of initial data of the intertidal sediment processes and geomorphological changes occurring within the new managed realignment site. Data shows that all of the sites being monitored are in a state of accretion with the source of sediment coming from both local e.g. through bank failure and distal e.g. off site sources. From the observations suggestions are made as to possible future improvements to both channel and borrow pit design.