Inlet Geomorph Bibliography-Classification

Hayes, M.O., 1979. Barrier Island Morphology as a Function of Tidal and Wave Regime. In: Barrier Islands form the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, S.P. Leatherman (Ed.). Academic Press, NY, pp. 1-27.

In this paper, Hayes identifies two factors, wave energy and tidal current energy control geomorphology of depositional coasts and describes that both of these are related to tide range (T.R.). Hayes discusses Davies (1964) classification of shorelines based on tide range:

• Microtidal coasts (T.R. 0-2 meters) (wave dominated coasts)
• Mesotidal coasts (T.R. 2-4 meters)
• Macrotidal coasts (T.R. > 4 meters) (tide dominated coasts)

Hayes provides inlets which are examples of each case with the associated references but focuses on coasts with medium wave energy (Mean Significant Wave Height (MSH) = 60-150 cm). Additionally, Hayes provides the geomorphologic differences of the mesotidal and microtidal cases in table form and discussion within the table.

Hayes classified and plotted 21 barrier island shorelines based upon mean tidal range and mean wave height and into five morphological types: wave dominated, mixed-energy wave dominant, mixed-energy tide dominant, tide-dominated (high) and tide-dominated (low). Hayes concludes that, for coasts with medium wave energy, the tidal classification of Davies (1964) needed refinement and that the boundary between microtidal and mesotidal as thought to be too high. Hayes added the classification of low-mesotidal for areas where the tide rages are between 1-2 meters for coasts of medium wave energy.

Hayes also discusses the relationship between shoreline morphology and shoreline embayments and the effects of climate on barrier morphology.

Gibeaut, J.C., and Davis, R.A., 1993. Statistical Geomorphic Classification of Ebb-Tidal Deltas along the West-Central Florida Coast. Journal of Coastal Research SI(18), 165-184.

This paper describes morphologic type of tidal inlets on the west central Florida barrier island chain. Gibeaut and Davis utilized aerial photographs to analyze the ebb tidal delta planform shape for 9 inlets (Longboat Pass, Redfish Pass, Dunedin Pass, Captiva, New Pass, Big Sarasota Pass, Stump Pass, Midnight Pass and Gasparilla Pass). They utilized a number of historical non rectified vertical aerial photographs for each inlet and digitized the swash platform, the shoreline landward of the swash platform, and the outline of the main ebb channel thalweg. In the paper probability functions are utilized to describe the seaward outline of the ebb-delta terminal lobe for the inlets examined. The sources of error in the digitization process are described.

A cluster analysis of morphological parameters (ebb delta area, left shoreline offset, right shoreline offset, channel position and channel angle) was performed. The cluster analysis showed inlet configurations to be a continuum with characteristic inlet types identifiable at the end points in the continuum. The groupings that were defined in the cluster analysis were separated by tidal classifications (wave dominated, mixed energy, mixed energy with large shoreline offset and large asymmetry and tide dominated).

A discussion of controls on inlet form and size is included within this paper along with a discussion of how natural and anthropogenic changes (i.e., changes in prism, dredging, tide, waves, etc.) cause changes in inlet morphology. They conclude by identifying four factors which cause variation in inlet planform morphology: 1) time variation of wave energy, (2) time variation of tidal energy (prism), (3) space variation of tidal energy (prism), and (4) evolution of ebb-tidal deltas and adjacent shorelines.

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