Sediment Budget of the Lower Fraser River

Sediment processes are regularly disrupted in large sand-bedded rivers and deltas as a result of human development. Development of the Fraser River delta and estuary, associated with sediment dredging, dykes, and flow diversions has been linked to reduced volumes of sediment delivered to the delta front and systematic channel degradation. As a result, the delta may be sediment starved and transitioning from a growing to an erosional state, increasing its vulnerability to oceanic forces (e.g., waves, tidal forces). However, the impacts of a reduced sediment load to the delta front and the extent of riverbed degradation of the lower Fraser remains unknown. The proposed project will examine existing bathymetry surveys, dredging records, and sediment inputs at Mission to determine the modern sediment budget of the lower Fraser River. The results will allow Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) to make recommendations related to sediment management of the lower Fraser River.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jeremy Venditti;Ryan Bradley

Student:

Daniel Murphy

Partner:

Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd.

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University