Beach Evolution Caused by Littoral Drift Barrier

Abstract

A numerical model is developed to predict the shoreline changes at Nome, Alaska due to the construction of a causeway that will connect the offshore port terminal with the onshore facilities. The model is based on a procedure developed earlier by other researchers. Several aspects of the original procedure are elaborated and modified. The resultant model was verified by simulating the present beach condition near the entrance jetties of Nome Harbor. Using the same parameters, the model was applied to the causeway and shore configurations for a 30‐yr period were predicted. These applications show that the modifications made on the original model are promising. The model can be applied to other similar situations provided the parameters are calibrated by simulating existing conditions.