At the NCK 2026 conference, we presented our work on the morphodynamic modelling of sand nourishments in the Eastern Scheldt.

The Eastern Scheldt has experienced a structural sediment deficit since the construction of the storm surge barrier in 1986. As a result, intertidal flats are eroding, threatening essential bird foraging habitat. Sand nourishments are applied to mitigate this habitat loss, but predicting their lifespan remains challenging.

In this study, we applied our in-house developed FINEL-SWAN model, a coupled morphodynamic and wave model, to simulate the development of the pilot sand nourishment on the Galgeplaat. Key findings of this study include:
• Process-based models provide reliable estimates of nourishment lifespan
• Wind forcing is a crucial driver of sediment redistribution on tidal flats

The results provide a quantitative basis for improving the design and lifespan prediction of sand nourishments, supporting the preservation of intertidal habitat in the Eastern Scheldt.

The poster presentation can be found here.