Print Email Facebook Twitter Peak Water Levels Rise Less Than Mean Sea Level in Tidal Channels Subject to Depth Convergence by Deepening Title Peak Water Levels Rise Less Than Mean Sea Level in Tidal Channels Subject to Depth Convergence by Deepening Author Leuven, Jasper R.F.W. (Wageningen University & Research; Royal HaskoningDHV) Niesten, Iris (Wageningen University & Research) Huismans, Y. (TU Delft Coastal Engineering; Deltares) Cox, Jana R. (Universiteit Utrecht) Hulsen, Lamber (Port of Rotterdam Authority) van der Kaaij, Theo (Deltares) Hoitink, A. J.F. (Ton) (Wageningen University & Research) Date 2023 Abstract Effects of sea-level rise (SLR) on future peak water levels in tidal deltas and estuaries are largely unknown, despite these areas being densely populated and at high risk of flooding. While the rates of SLR accelerate, many channels simultaneously experience channel deepening for navigation. With globally decreasing sediment supplies, most channels are at risk of becoming deeper when the rate of SLR accelerates and sedimentation cannot keep pace with SLR. These factors potentially favor amplification of the tides and thereby increase flood risk, but the extent to which they will do so is unknown. Here, we introduce and use a validated model for an artificially deepened multi-branch delta to get a mechanistic understanding of non-linear SLR-effects on peak water levels. Results show that, when the current deepened bed level will be maintained, peak water levels do not rise on par with mean sea-level. Thus flood risk increases less than what can be expected from the predictions of the mean sea-level increase. The reason is that SLR causes a proportional reduction in convergence of channel area. This mechanism reduces tidal amplification. Nevertheless, SLR effects extend far beyond the range of present-day seasonal variations, with future low water levels being equal to present-day high water levels, while the tidal range slightly reduces. This will have consequences not only for flood risk, but also for freshwater availability, navigation and ecology. Subject deepeningdeltasestuarieshydrodynamicssea-level risetides To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fcbcd0eb-f65c-4539-bb9c-27333c743912 DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019578 ISSN 2169-9275 Source Journal Of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 128 (4) Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2023 Jasper R.F.W. Leuven, Iris Niesten, Y. Huismans, Jana R. Cox, Lamber Hulsen, Theo van der Kaaij, A. J.F. (Ton) Hoitink Files PDF JGR_Oceans_2023_Leuven_Pe ... rgence.pdf 2.75 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:fcbcd0eb-f65c-4539-bb9c-27333c743912/datastream/OBJ/view