Two-dimensional morphological model for the Dutch Rine branches

Period:	2006-2009
Location:	Delft, The Netherlands
Client:	Rijkswaterstaat

assignment/short description

The Rhine River is considered the backbone of the Northwest European waterways network. All
efforts are made to ensure the navigability of the river all year round.

Due to the morphological behaviour of the river, navigation is subject to hindrance in some locations and frequent maintenance is being carried out. Morphological changes of the river are predicted to increase the number of nautical bottlenecks in the coming years.

Accordingly, the decision was then taken to create a morphological model that covers the entire
Rhine branches in the Netherlands. The model aims to provide a tool for river managers which
enables assessment of the morphological response of the river to different maintenance plans as
well as changes in dredging strategies for a sustainable navigation channel.

Several state-of-the-art modelling elements have been developed and utilised to construct and
efficiently run this model.