Morphology - FINEL2D animations

Bed level development in the Western Scheldt estuary

The animation above shows the bed level development in the Western Scheldt estuary over 750 years. Initial the bathymetry is set at a constant level of -7m MSL. The model then calculates the subsequent changes in bed level due to tidal flow only. A non-erodable layer is present in the model.

Ebb and flood channels develop, migrate and sometimes disappear again. The computed bathymetry can be compared to the present day bathymetry: the location, number and size of the channels, shoals in the mouth (to the left) and in the Western Scheldt (to the right) are remarkably similar to the present day morphology.