Braiding is a mesmerizing phenomenon since flow and sediment transport interact and are able to change the morphology of a channel in a rapid and complex fashion. Conventional two-dimensional morphodynamic models estimate bedload distribution using shear stress distribution. However, it is unclear if the use of such shear stress distributions is relevant or applicable for all situations when using two-dimensional morphodynamic modelling. This thesis strives to investigate whether shear stress distributions are useful to predict bedload transport pathways. This study focuses upon prediction of bedload transport pathways using a morphodynamic model (Delft3D) of an anabranch of the Rees River (New Zealand). Observed bedload transport pathways were compared to modelled bedload transport pathways in an attempt to validate the predictive ability of the model. Results show that there is a significant correlation between predicted bedload transport pathways and the apparent bedload transport pathways derived from the field measurements. Furthermore, bedload transport predictions were in good agreement with observed data in areas where the model’s predictions of high shear stress were comparable to field observations. However, substantial bedload transport predictions in low shear stress areas were not adequately captured by the model, suggesting that the observed pathways were not due to high shear stress, but rather to other sediment supply sources.

Les embouchures tidales dominées par la houle sont des systèmes côtiers particulièrement dynamiques dont la morphologie est continuellement remodelée par l’action des vagues et de la marée. Les rapides évolutions morphologiques auxquelles elles sont sujettes impactent directement leurs environnements écologiques et socio-économiques. Afin de mettre en œuvre des réglementations adaptées à la gestion durable des embouchures tidales, des études environnementales systématiques sont nécessaires. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre les processus physiques qui contrôlent les évolutions morphologiques d’une embouchure tidale éphémère au Portugal - l’embouchure de la lagune d’Albufeira – à partir de l’analyse de mesures hydrodynamiques et topographiques et de résultats d’un système de modélisation morphodynamique récemment développé. Les processus qui influent sur la dynamique de l’embouchure tidale à court terme, notamment ceux liés aux interactions vague-courant, ont été étudiés à travers l’application du système de modélisation à l’embouchure. Les modulations saisonnières du climat de vagues et du niveau moyen de la mer affectent fortement la dynamique sédimentaire de l’embouchure et contribuent au comblement naturel de l’embouchure pendant l’hiver. Les processus à long terme ont également été étudiés à partir de simulations rétrospectives de paramètres moyens de vagues pour des échelles régionales et locales sur une période 65 ans. Les fortes variabilités interannuelles du climat de vagues et de la dérive littorale qui lui est associée pourraient expliquer les différences d’évolutions morphologiques du système embouchure-lagune sur des échelles de temps pluri–annuels. / Wave-dominated tidal inlets are very dynamic coastal systems, whose morphology is continuously shaped by the combined action of the waves and the tides. The rapid morphological changes they experience impact directly their ecological and socio-economic environments. In order to implement adequate regulations for the sustainable management of tidal inlets, systematic environmental studies are necessary. The main objective of this PhD research work is to gain a better understanding of the physical processes that control the morphological evolutions of an ephemeral tidal inlet in Portugal - the Albufeira Lagoon inlet - based on the analysis of hydrodynamic and topographic data and on the results of a newly developed morphodynamic modelling system. The processes that impact the dynamics of the inlet at short time-scales, particularly those related to wave-current interactions, are investigated through the application of the modelling system to the inlet. The seasonal modulations of the wave climate and mean sea level strongly affect the sediment dynamics of the inlet and contribute to the natural closure of the inlet during the winter period. Long-term processes are also investigated based on a 65-year hindcast of mean wave parameters at regional and local scales. The large inter-annual variability of the wave climate and the associated longshore sediment transport – both correlated to the North-Atlantic Oscillation – are proposed to explain the differences in the morphological behaviour of the inlet-lagoon system at pluri-annual time-scales.