Sedimentation Patterns of a Restored Tidal Wetland

by Christopher Barker, Univ of California, Berkeley, United States,
Tim Best Abbe, Univ of California, Berkeley, United States,
Susan Huse, Univ of California, Berkeley, United States,
Lisa Wells, Univ of California, Berkeley, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '93

Abstract:

Coyote Slough Lagoon was flooded as part of a local mitigation project in 1986. The design of the restored marsh included peninsulas to break up the local fetch and resulted in the development of 5 distinct tidal cells. Topographics maps were made just before and after flooding. Subsequent repeat bathymetric surveying and deployment of sedimentation plates allow us to examine the spatial and temporal variability of sedimentation within the lagoon. Below mean high water repeat surveying was used to determine sedimentation rates. In the 6 years following flooding sedimentation has been rapid in lagoon cell close to the main tidal inlet and a distinct channel has formed there. Sedimentation rates in the subtidal areas vary from greater than 60 cm/yr. near the main inlet to a minimum of 10 cm/yr. in the most remote area of the lagoon. On the mudflats above mean low water sediment plates were deployed over a two week period to monitor short term sedimentation rates. On these mudflats we calculate sedimentation rates varying from 5.67 ch/ yr in the central part of the lagoon to 1.64 cm/yr inn the most remote parts of the lagoon. Sedimentation rate varies with both distance from the tidal inlet and elevation. The deepest areas of the lagoon have the most rapid rates of sedimentation while the mudflats surrounding the lagoon are agrading more slowly.

Subject Headings: Sediment | Lagoons | Wetlands (coastal) | Tides | Inlets (waterway) | Floods | Plates | California | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search