Morphodynamics of the stagnating Zwin inlet, The Netherlands

This study investigates the morphodynamical characteristics of the Zwin inlet, Zeeland, southwest Netherlands. Data is based on field measurements of currents and their flow pattern recognition and on study of the intertidal bedform fields. Long-term bathymetric data and coastal monitoring by air photo interpretation were further applied for revealing the main morphological response in the inlet and along its adjacent beaches. Within the spatial segregation of flood- and ebb-dominated flows, seven bedform fields were defined with characteristic spatial organization and clear textural trends. The overall picture demonstrates a stagnating inlet with sand starvation along the Dutch coast and widening of the Belgian beach updrift. The Zwin inlet functions as a sedimentary trap, with its typical ebb-delta features displaced shorewards.