Integrated Modeling and Sedimentation Management: the Case of Salt Ponds Inlet and Harbor in Virginia

Salt Ponds Inlet is a small inlet that was dredged by the City of Hampton in 1979 to connect the Salt Ponds small-craft harbor to lower Chesapeake Bay. Despite the presence of two jetties at its entrance, the inlet has experienced continuous and rapid sedimentation since 1979, requiring the City to dredge the inlet at a frequency of every two to three years. This paper presents the results of computational modeling of the inlet processes and discusses possible options for minimizing sedimentation as part of efforts to address shoaling problems in Salt Ponds Inlet. The problem is addressed by applying an integrated numerical model with parameters calibrated to reported currents, tidal prism and sensitivity tests. Simulations suggest that, for the existing jetty configuration, inlet entrance wave power is overwhelmingly higher than tidal power, indicating inadequacy of tidal power for redistribution and flushing-out of wave-mobilized sediments. Simulations of 13 scenarios, examining 11 potential alternatives, suggest that modification of the existing jetties combined with an offshore breakwater is the best option to minimize inlet shoaling.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413067.053
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?ID=2147487569&ProductID=192556110
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Barua, D K
  • Crum, P
  • Truitt, C
  • Walther, M
• Conference:
  • Ports '13: 13th Triennial International Conference
  • Location: Seattle Washington, United States
  • Date: 2013-8-25 to 2013-8-28
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: pp 512-521
• Monograph Title: Ports 2013: Success through Diversification

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Breakwaters; Computer models; Dredging; Harbors; Jetties; Sedimentation; Simulation; Wave motion
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01522277
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784413067
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 22 2014 3:04PM