Assessing Subaquatic Mass Movement Hazards: an Integrated Observational and Hydrodynamic Modelling Approach

Love Råman Vinnå (), Damien Bouffard (), Alfred Wüest, Stéphanie Girardclos and Nathalie Dubois
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Love Råman Vinnå: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Damien Bouffard: Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Surface Waters – Research and Management
Alfred Wüest: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Stéphanie Girardclos: University of Geneva
Nathalie Dubois: ETH Zürich

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2020, vol. 34, issue 13, No 12, 4133-4146

Abstract: Abstract High-resolution lake and reservoir bathymetric surveys can pinpoint locations that may experience underwater landslides (subaquatic sedimentary mass movements). These can pose a risk to underwater and shoreline infrastructure. This paper outlines an approach for using spatial variation in sedimentary patterns to identify areas susceptible to subaquatic mass movements in lakes and reservoirs. This study focusses on Lake Biel (Switzerland), which has experienced a protracted history of upstream alteration of river flow. Altered flow patterns increase risk of unstable sedimentary features and subaquatic mass movements. Data from sediment traps and cores, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers and results from a 3D hydrodynamic model gave a consistent picture of spatial and temporal variation in weather-related sedimentation. Erosion caused by short-term rain events contributes the largest proportion of sediments to the lake. Strong rain events combine with typical wind patterns to drive lake circulation. The net effect results in preferential sedimentation onto a steeply sloping shelf prone to subaquatic slides. The integrated approach outlined here incorporates short- and long-term sediment dynamics to provide a systematic assessment of lake sedimentation and potential mass movement hazards. This research represents a first step in developing a risk-evaluation tool for aquatic hazard evaluation.

Keywords: Subaquatic mass movements; Coastal infrastructure; Weather-dependent sedimentation; River redirection; Geological engineering; Risk evaluation tool (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-020-02660-y

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