The impact of morphological evolution on hydrodynamics and sediment redistribution of the Western Scheldt estuary from 1200-2020

The Western Scheldt, like many estuaries, faces transitions from natural evolution to artificial adjustments by human interventions. Since the Middle Ages, the latter has caused significant morphodynamic changes; especially continuous land reclamation works and the repeated deepening of navigation channels, remain noticeable today. In the face of present and future sea level rise, there is not only the risk of coastal flooding, but also the possibility of changes in the tidal regime. In this study, we aim to explore the connectivity of historical estuaries, by assessing i) how the morphological changes over time have changed the tidal characteristics, and hence sediment transport; and, ii) the sensitivity of prevailing water levels to dominant wind directions/surges.