Description
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),
Engineer Research and Development Center
(ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL),
Dredging Operations and Environmental Research
(DOER) program has constructed a mixed-sediment mound at the Offshore Dredge Material Disposal Site
(ODMDS) approximately four miles (7 Km) south of the mouth of the Cape Fear River, North Carolina.
The objectives of the DOER Mound study include the following:
- Document the fate of the mound, particularly the erodability of the mixed sediment
composition
- Investigate the generation of turbidity associated with the mound
- Document sediment characteristics over the long term
Purpose
Beneficial use of dredged material is a priority for the USACE. Placement of dredged
material as nearshore berms could provide for shorline stability and greatly reduce
the cost of transporting the material much further offshore. Some questions remain,
however, prior to implementation of nearshore mounds when mixed sediments are being
dredged. Do the fines actually winnow out as has been hypothesized, leaving beach
quality sediment that will move onshore? Are there turbidity levels associated with
the presence of the mound that can have adverse effects on fish or habitat?
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Program Benefits
This study is important to ERDC CHL for model development and dredging operations
implimentation. Models are being developed that can predict the fate of nearshore
mounds. Improved accuracy and calibration of these models necessitates an understanding
of the processes and associated response of the sediments. The value of this project
is considered very high and consistent with operational-research initiatives of the
USACE. To achieve the study objectives, the USACE Field Research Facility (FRF) has
been asked to help design the study and implement the field-monitoring program.
Monitoring Tasks
- Fixed instrument installations on the mound to measure sediment transport parameters
- Directional wave spectra and vertical current profile measurements inshore, offshore,
and on the mound.
- Repetitive high-resolution bathymetric and sub-bottom surveys
- Concentration validation to determine size distribution of materials in water
Access to the data products can be obtained by selecting the appropriate
links to the left.
Field Research Facility
1261 Duck Rd.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-3511
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This web site was designed by
Carl Miller (DOER Mound Monitoring Program Manager, USACE) and created by
Justin Vandever (Contract Student,
Cornell University) and Cliff Baron (Computer Baron at the FRF).
Questions, comments, and suggestions should be directed to
Mr. Miller at
(252) 261-6840 ext. 240.
The findings in this world wide web site are not to be construed as an official Department
of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
The contents of this world wide web site are not to be used for advertising
or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not
constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products.
Use of material from this site should credit the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers Engineer Research & Development Center.
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