Sandbanks for coastal protection: implications of sea-level rise. Part 1: application to East Anglia

The effect of sea-level rise on nearshore wave climate in East Anglia is investigated using state-of-the-art commercial wave modelling (the TOMAWAC code). Artificially increasing the level of relatively nearshore banks, e.g. Scroby, is shown to reduce nearshore wave heights, suggesting that the dumping of dredged or other material on sandbanks would be a cost-effective means of coastal protection. Tidal modelling (using TELEMAC-2D) coupled with sediment transport modelling (SISYPHE) indicates that sandbanks are more likely to accrete where the water is shallow indicating a suitable first choice for dumping. The work is presented in three parts: Part 1 presents results and practical implications; Part 2 gives the theory, results, validation and limitations for practical tidal current modeling; and Part 3 gives the theory and some assessment of wave climate modeling.