This presentation is part of the Supporting Sediment Transport organized session.
A littoral cell is a conceptual sediment compartment that defines the supply, longshore transport, and deposition of sand and gravel along the coast in the Great Lakes. Within a littoral cell, there is typically an updrift supply area that features a long-term erosion trend, a net direction of longshore sediment transport (LST), and historically a downdrift depositional area that features a positive sediment budget and accretion trend. Understanding the sediment dynamics in littoral cells and the role of these natural physical processes have on protecting coastal ecosystems, beaches, and infrastructure is critical to developing equitable and sustainable long-term adaptation strategies to natural hazards and climate change.
The presentation will provide examples of littoral cell boundaries and sub-cell boundaries, which occur when artificial barriers are constructed that reduce the natural flow of sediments in the nearshore. New sources of sediment from shore erosion and riverine systems will be reviewed, including anthropogenic influence. The role of lake levels and storms in re-distributing sediment in the cells will be highlighted, along with potential impacts of climate change. Finally, characteristics of depositional sinks in littoral cells and examples will be highlighted.
