The Impacts of Fish-Tail Groynes on Sediment Deposition at Morecambe, North-West England

Authors

  • Peter W. French
  • John S. Livesey

Keywords:

Fish-tail groynes, coastal defence, sediment regime, channel stability, accretion patterns

Abstract

The development of an elaborate system of fish-tail groynes at Morecambe, north-west England is discussed in relation to its impact on sediment deposition and beach formation. The comparison of beach surveys from 1992 and 1996 has shown that in all cases, sediment build-up has occurred around each groyne, although with a distinct spatial pattern, concluded to be caused by the influence of a large jetty built as part of the scheme and designed to regulate the position of the primary ebb tide channel. In addition, qualitative observations indicate that the pattern of sediment accretion has shown a shift from coarser to finer grade sediments concluded to be a result of the energy reduction and resulting inability of the tidal and wave currents to transport coarser sediments into the beach environment. As a result, the beach area has become largely silt and mud dominated, resulting in the need of beach feeding to provide suitable amenity beaches for the tourist industry.

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Published

2000-07-28

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2000): Journal of Coastal Research

Section

Articles

License

Authorization for personal use is granted by the Coastal Education and Research Foundation [CERF]. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright for their article is transferred to the publisher if the article is accepted for publication. Assignment of copyright is not required, however, from authors who work for organizations which do not permit such assignment, The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reprduce and distribute the article, inclduing reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of a similar nature, and translations.