Field measurements and numerical modelling of wind-driven exchange flows in a tidal inlet system in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Multiple tidal inlet systems like the Wadden Sea have long been considered as separated basins, bordered by so-called divides. Recently, it was however shown that fluxes of water and sediment occur over borders these especially during wind events. In this paper, wind-driven residual flow through main are studied. The study is based on measurements at divides in Ameland Inlet system Dutch numerical modelling. were carried out 40 days fall 2017, including both calm conditions storm Numerical simulations a full year used for upscaling results from to scale exchange flows, unravel effects several mechanisms. variability flows between back-barrier basins measured field reproduced model. Water level set up increases depth thus conveyance capacity divides, such increase magnitude. due forcing similar Basin. therefore total volume different. This leads compensation inlet, which directed outward (i.e., ebb direction) winds prevailing southwestern direction. net discharge consequence • Field hydrodynamics inlet. local conditions. During events, large Wind-generated currents basin lead