Development of a mud transport model for the Scheldt estuary in the framework of LTV

On 7 August 2006 RIKZ commissioned WL | Delft Hydraulics to develop a process-based numerical model to support mud management issues in the Scheldt estuary (contract RKZ ? 1740 MB). This project has been carried out in cooperation with Flanders Hydraulics (Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium orgerhout) in the framework of LTV (Long Term Vision) Schelde. This end report describes the steps taken towards the development of the mud transport model. It deals with the following topics: system description, data-analysis, set-up and calibration of the hydrodynamic model and set-up and calibration of the mud transport model. Management issues are discussed shortly; they have been elaborated in more detail in a separate note. It is concluded that the mud transport model is technically operational. It has been set-up such that it can be used for both short-term and long-term simulations with different levels of details. Potentially, the model is suitable to simulate seasonal dynamics. However, further calibration is advised prior to the application of the model to support management issues. Theestuarine turbidity maximum near Antwerp is not yet properly reproduced. Boundary conditions and wave forcing should be further refined. At the start of the project it was already anticipated that further refinements would probably be required during a subsequent phase of the project. The objectives of the present project (i.e. phase 1 and 2) have been realised.