Process-based modelling of the St Lucia Estuary: Morphodynamic response of the inlet due to dredge spoil removal and re-linkage of Mfolozi River

The St Lucia Estuary is Africa’s largest estuarine system and part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999. The St Lucia Estuary is connected upstream to Lake St Lucia and downstream it flows into the Indian Ocean. The St Lucia Estuary is located at a wave dominated coast...

A parametric study concerning estuary mouth dynamics and inlet closure

With the development of a process-based model (Delft3D) of the St Lucia Estuary inlet, a first approach is made with regard to the estuary mouth dynamics and closure mechanisms that are observed at St Lucia inlet. The purpose of this thesis is to get a better understanding of the hydrodynamic and morphological behaviour of the St Lucia inlet...