A Dynamic Simulation Model of Beach Sand Replenishment: a Case Study of Santa Barbara, California

摘要

Sediment deprivation from dam installments contributes to beach erosion yet the underlyingphysical and economic factors linking them together have traditionally been isolated duringregional planning. In order to gain a better understanding of the behavior of a managed beachsystem, a dynamic simulation model was developed incorporating physical and monetary factorsinfluencing the amount of available beach sand. The Santa Barbara littoral cell was chosen as acase study to evaluate the feasibility of beach preservation goals under scenarios in which annualsand replenishment funding, sand prices, or sediment recovery from behind dams were limitingfactors to available beach sand. Sources of model uncertainty included limited information onhistorical sand replenishment costs and true residence time of sand in the littoral cell. Resultsindicate that with ample sand replenishment funding and moderate annual sand loss assumed, abeach could be maintained at a desired width for several decades.