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#           Modeling the effects of interior headland restoration on estuarine sediment transport processes in a marine-dominant estuary      

      August 15, 2023    

The effects of interior headland restoration on estuarine sediment transport processes were assessed through process-based numerical modeling. Three proposed interior headland restoration scenarios in the Grand Bay estuary (Mississippi/Alabama) were modeled using Delft3D to understand impacts on suspended sediment concentrations, bed level morphology, and sediment fluxes under present-day conditions and a sea level rise (SLR) of 0.5 m, representing a high projection of SLR by the year 2050. Model results showed localized differences in bed levels near the restored features after a year of simulated morphologic change. The restored headland features acted as a sediment source to the immediate surroundings while also providing some non-significant sheltering effect of backshore shoals and marsh shorelines. Sediment fluxes were sensitive to wind directions and the presence of the restored headlands. However, regardless of wind direction, mean sea level, or restoration action, the greatest sediment fluxes were always export fluxes from the estuary, which were further increased with increased sea level. Suspended sediment concentrations were highly influenced by SLR in a non-linear manner. Sediment concentrations both increased and decreased depending on depth under SLR. Furthermore, SLR allowed for the suspension and deposition of sediments on the marsh platform. Overall, the influence of SLR was more impactful to changing sediment dynamics than the influence of the restoration features.

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August 10, 2023

####                 Modeling the Effects of Interior Headland Restoration on Estuarine Sediment Transport Processes in a Marine-Dominant Estuary: Delft3D Model Output              

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

#### Robert Jenkins

##### Physical Scientist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

rljenkins@usgs.gov

727-502-8138

#### Davina L. Passeri, PhD

##### Research Oceanographer

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

dpasseri@usgs.gov

727-502-8014

#### Christopher G. Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

cgsmith@usgs.gov

727-502-8035

#### David Thompson

##### Physical Scientist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

dthompson@usgs.gov

727-502-8079

#### Kathryn E L Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

kelsmith@usgs.gov

727-502-8073

## Related Content

August 10, 2023

####                 Modeling the Effects of Interior Headland Restoration on Estuarine Sediment Transport Processes in a Marine-Dominant Estuary: Delft3D Model Output              

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

#### Robert Jenkins

##### Physical Scientist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

rljenkins@usgs.gov

727-502-8138

#### Davina L. Passeri, PhD

##### Research Oceanographer

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

dpasseri@usgs.gov

727-502-8014

#### Christopher G. Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

cgsmith@usgs.gov

727-502-8035

#### David Thompson

##### Physical Scientist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

dthompson@usgs.gov

727-502-8079

#### Kathryn E L Smith, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

kelsmith@usgs.gov

727-502-8073

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####               St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center          

600 4th Street SouthSt. Petersburg, FL33701United States

727-502-8000

727-502-8181

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