Author(s): Marcela Busnelli; Filip Schuurman
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Canal del Dique is a Colombian waterway connecting the sediment-rich Rio Magdalena and the Bay of Cartagena. The project Restoration of Canal del Dique aims to solve various problems related to the most important functions of the canal: navigation in the main channel and ecology in the floodplains, the Bay of Cartagena and marine ecosystems. A hydro-sedimentological management plan was developed to improve these functions. Important input for the plan was a conceptual model with the sediment budget and morphological developments at the bifurcation from Rio Magdalena, along Canal del Dique, in the floodplains and in the bays. The conceptual model is based on field data analysis and modeling tools. A detailed model for the bifurcation and the Canal del Dique system was developed to understand the distribution of water and sediment and to predict the effects of the restoration measures on the integrated system. Suspended bed material load and wash load were found to play important roles in the Canal del Dique system. The sediment concentrations and discharges are not linearly related. The approach developed in this study to predict sediment transported to the floodplains and to the marine ecosystems is of application to other complex river systems with dominant fine sediment. Main uncertainties are related to the sediment concentrations in the Magdalena River. It is recommended to measure the sediment concentrations for a longer period in order to predict them as a function of other factors such as upstream catchment area conditions.
Year: 2020