Flood-tide Delta Morphodynamics and Management Implications, Port Stephens, Australia.

Vila-Concejo, A., Short, A.D., Hughes, M.G. and Ranasinghe, R., 2007. Flood-tide Delta Morphodynamics and Management Implications, Port Stephens, Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 705 – 709. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 Port Stephens is a drowned river valley estuary located in SE Australia. Its flood-tide delta is part of the morphological transition between the wave-dominated open coast and the tide-dominated estuarine environment. The sand surface of the flood-tide delta is subject to episodic disturbance by large ocean waves that penetrate into Port Stephens. Moreover, the flood-tide delta is a dynamic feature that responds to variations in the forcing mechanisms. Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay and Jimmy's Beach located on both sides of the entrance have experienced severe erosion for the last 40 years, resulting in expensive shoreline management controls. The evolution of these beaches has been linked to the flood-tide delta morphodynamics. Most of the morphologic features in outer Port Stephens have undergone erosion processes during at least the last 40 years. Yacaaba Head seems to be the only morphologic unit that has undergone sedimentary accretion. Results from numerical models obtained by other authors found eastward directed sediment transport occurring on the eroding beaches. Field measurements and observations show westward sediment transport. Further studies to identify the sediment exchange mechanisms and controls are needed to clarify the morphodynamics of the outer part of Port Stephens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]