Ponce de Leon channel shoaling and erosion studiesudPunta Gorda, Florida

摘要

The shoaling and bank erosion at Ponce de Leon channel, Punta Gorda, Florida, haveudcaused concern of harming the mangrove community along the channel. Three factorsudwere identified that could contribute to the bank erosion of Ponce channel. Theyudare tidal induced current, wind waves penetrating from the Charlotte Harbor, andudwakes caused by boat traffic. According to the field experiments and numericaludmodeling studies, it was determined that the combined wind wave and tidal currentudforce is the major cause to the bank erosion. Wind wave appears to play a moreudimportant role because of its dynamic nature. For the present cross-sectionaludchannel condition the tidal current alone is only a moderate erosional force.udIt was also found that reopening the barge canal would cut the tidal currentudstrength in the Ponce channel by a half. This current reduction would reduce butudnot eliminate bank erosion in the lower reach as the wind-wave induced force willudremain to be an important erosional factor.udA number of remedial alternatives were given in the report. The most direct methodudis to provide bank protection. The extent of the protection depends upon theudextent of wind wave penetration which could be as deep as 150 m into the channeludunder the present channel entrance condition. (This document has 49 pages. )