Working with Nature to Manage Tidal Inlets

Sandy inlets are in a dynamic equilibrium between wave-driven littoral drift acting to close them, and tidal flows keeping them open. Their beds are in a continual state of suspension and deposition, so their bathymetry and even location are always in flux. Even so, for sandy inlets a nearly linear relationship between an inlet’s cross-sectional flow area and the inshore tidal prism is maintained - except when major wind and/or runoff events act to close or widen an inlet. Inlet location can be stabilized by jetties, but dredging may still be necessary to maintain a navigable channel. Armoring with rock large enough to resist erosion can protect an inlet bed or river mouth from excessive storm flow erosion. Armoring can also be used as a strategem to close inlets.