Artificial sand bypass systems: fixed, mobile, and mixed systems

This paper describes a feasibility study of large scale, sand bypassing solutions at Aveiro and Figueira da Foz tidal inlets, undertaken for the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). Aveiro and Figueira da Foz are existing river ports where breakwaters constructed to maintain navigable entrances have resulted in excess updrift accretion and severe downdrift erosion. These entrances require ongoing dredging and cause dangerous navigation conditions, especially for smaller vessels. The study showed that large-scale sand bypassing systems can restore the stability of shorelines on high-energy coastlines, based on the success of fixed sand bypassing systems, such as in East Australia.