Figure 4-47e. Goldsmith Inlet channel center, 16 April 2003 and 15 April 2004
New shoaling along the west bank and the beginnings of the west lobe of the
present-day flood shoal can be seen in Figure 4-48b, the apparent result of the
deeper channel dredged along the west side of the inlet.
Figure 4-48c outlines the approximate extent of the flood shoal on 5 April
1993 and 21 April 1996. The flood shoal appeared to be reaching maturity at this
point, where its morphology closely resembled its present manifestation. The
eastern and western lobes appeared to be mature and well developed by 1993.
Limiting depth at this location is a prominent control on the present
hydrodynamics of Goldsmith Inlet. The period of flood shoal development
appears to have been followed by a period of channel infilling, where a new lobe
of the flood shoal developed, as seen in the morphology of 21 April 1996.
The areal extent of shoaling within the channel can be seen in Figure 4-48c
for 21 April 1996 and in Figure 4-48d for 16 April 2003 and 15 April 2004. The
well-developed flood shoal probably began blocking the transport of sediment
into Goldsmith Pond, resulting in a new period that is characterized by deposition
within the inlet channel. This observation is supported by the sediment grain
sizes found at this location (Chapter 3). The southern portion of the inlet is
characterized by course to medium sand that is distinct from the larger sediment
found north of this location and the finer sediment that comprises the flood shoal
proper. This period is also characterized by the formation of the attached west-
bank shoal, further supporting the conclusion of flood shoal stability. The
observed in-channel shoal resembles the natural flood shoal of 1955 in many
respects.
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Chapter 4 Morphology Change, and Channel Shoaling and Migration