Overview of the Estuary Guide
The Estuary Guide aims to provide an overview of how to identify and predict morphological change within estuaries, as a basis for sound management. It is not yet possible and, indeed, may never be possible to make absolute predictions. Rather, it is necessary to identify probable/possible outcomes, as a basis for guiding management actions.
The topic is a huge one and the guide is intended only to provide an introduction to some of the key issues. The guide focuses on providing:
- A discussion on how to identify and predict morphological change in estuaries;
- Summary and in-depth details of the models and methods available;
- Details of recent and ongoing research in this field
- Extensive references as well as a glossary of terms, for those who are less familiar with the subject
The Guide is:
- An interactive document supported by a series of searchable tools;
- An overview of best practice in the field;
- Based on a collation of industry experience and ongoing research;
- A vehicle for collation and dissemination of the current outputs of the Estuaries Research Programme (funded by Defra and the Environment Agency since 1998) and other ongoing R&D.
The Guide is not:
- A prescriptive set of government advice, rather a summary of best practice;
- A complete and comprehensive guide to estuaries recognising all user perspectives.
Although much of the Guide is generic, the content has been prepared drawing primarily on experience and R&D within the UK.
Information is provided that is of relevance to a variety of ‘user groups’. The benefits that such groups draw from the Guide will depend on their specific role within estuary management. To address this, a series of ‘user profiles’ have been prepared for the following groups:
- Regulators/Operators/Developers;
- Consultants/Researchers.
These user profiles can be accessed using the buttons below. Details are provided of regarding:
- What each group is likely to be able to obtain from the Guide;
- How the Guide may benefit them;
- How to navigate efficiently to the relevant sections.
It is recommended that these profiles are read prior to entering the Guide itself.
Please select a user category that most suits your requirements.
Regulators/ Operators/ Developers