Computer simulation of shoreline erosion on a fetch-limited prairie reservoir (Lake Diefenbaker, 1967-1980)

Abstract

Shoreline erosion resulting from wind-generated waves has been noted as a problem on coastlines and inland water bodies the world over. In order to determine if computer simulation techniques are of any use in estimating erosion rates along the shoreline of existing and future reservoirs on the Canadian Prairies, hindcasted waves were tracked to the breaker line on Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan. This thesis presents a method of using predicted wave power values to estimate potential rates of erosion. The study found that enough wave energy is generated on the reservoir to remove all eroded material from the shoreline, regardless of its source of origin. The predicted rates of erosion were comparable to those observed. The study also found that varying water levels are of little help in retarding the process of erosion on Lake Diefenbaker, because of the cohesive nature of the shoreline sediments.