Wavepool in a Natural Lake Environment

Wavepool in a Natural Lake Environment: A Design Study for the Edges of an Artificial Surf Reef in the Noorderplas, Roermond

Gallardo Torres, Victor (TU Delft Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

de Schipper, M.A. (mentor)
Schmied, Steven (mentor)

Delft University of Technology

Civil Engineering | Hydraulic Engineering | Coastal Engineering

CIE5050-09

2022-07-29

Wave surfing is a water sport in which a surfer uses a board to ride a wave towards the shore. It is done in the coastal areas around the globe. Each surf spot has its own wave quality depending on the wave climate and the type of coast. Some spots have year-round perfect waves and other surf spots only work ’when the stars are aligned.’ The search for the perfect spot and conditions makes the sport unique and interesting. On the other hand, it makes the sport exclusive. Only people that are able to access surf spots during the right conditions have the chance to surf.

Wave surfing is becoming an increasingly popular sport. Therefore, the demand for year-round good quality waves increases as well. Since a few decades, the sport has found itself a new opportunity: the wavepool. In a wavepool the surfer rides a man-made wave. These artificial waves can be adjusted to ones preferences, can be generated whenever you want and are independent of natural circumstances. Various types of wavepools exist, each with their own technology. Engineers have the ambition to continuously improve technology and efficiency.

Area X is a water recreation area in the Weerd near Roermond. Area X is planning to construct a wavepool in the lake environment of the Noorderplas. To realize the wavepool, Area X has consulted 24/7Waves. 24/7Waves is a company that is researching, developing and operating scalable wavepool concepts. The project ambition is to create waves for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers.
The wavemaker should generate 150 waves per hour with a ride of 11 to 15 seconds per wave with a wave height up to 2 meters.

So far, no wavepools exist in open water environments. It is unclear in what way the wavepool system and the lake system will interact. On the one hand, it is unknown what the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic impact will be from the wavepool on the lake system. Wave induced bed bank and shore erosion or deteriorated water quality are for example undesired. On the other hand, it is unknown in what way the natural varying conditions of the lake system will affect the performance of the wave. Water level differences or local generated wind waves may not influence the quality of the generated wave.

The design of the wavepool in the Binkhorst should be adjusted such that it can perform in harmony with the natural lake environment of the Noorderplas. Figure 1.1 gives an impression of the generated wave that propagates along the natural lake banks of the Noorderplas. Lake bed and banks that are subject to frequent wave impact are likely to erode (Duró et al., 2020). The most important element of the wavepool to prevent lake bed and bank erosion is the edge of the reef and the gutter. The reef edge eliminates the wave from the wavepool basin and the gutter facilitates the discharge of the water that is washed over the edge.

Surfing
Artificial waves
Wavepool
Wave Attenuation
Bed, bank and shore erosion

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Student theses

student report

© 2022 Victor Gallardo Torres