EFFECTS OF SPUR DIKES AND BLOCKING OF JIANGYA NORTH CHANNEL ON THE DEEP NAVIGATION CHANNEL IN THE YANGTZE RIVER ESTUARY

Abstract: This paper presents a study of changes in the percentage of flow and the tide ebb prism in the North Channel of the Yangtze River Estuary. The analysis is based on data measured before and after the first phase of deep channel training project for navigation. The effects of building spur dikes and blocking Jiangya North channel on the tide flow, as well as new measures for improving flow conditions in the North channel, were extensively investigated. The research results are valuable for the Second and Third phases of deep channel training project for navigation. The first phase of deep channel training project for navigation in the Yangtze River Estuary was conducted from Jan. 1998 to Jan. 2001. As a result, a navigable channel with 8.5 m deep was generated, and significant economic benefits were achieved. The first phase project includes the first phases of channel training, channel dredging, and channel improvement. In this study, the flow and sediment movements in North Channel of Yangtze River Estuary, as well as the effectiveness of spur dikes and blocking of Jiangya North channel, were investigated by using hydrological data measured before and after the channel training project. The research results are very helpful for the Second and Third phases of the project