Saint-Cado Project

Characterization of the silting of the Channel of Saint-Cado at the Étel Ria

Project managers : Mouncef Sedrati (LGO-UBS)

Project leaders : LGO UMR CNRS 6538 – UBS

Funding : Syndicat Mixte de la Ria d’Étel

Length of the project :

Presentation

Around the Saint-Cado channel, northeast sector, for several years, local users have been reporting an accumulation of sand in one of the channels. Eventually, this silting could become problematic for the activity of shellfish farmers, professional and recreational foot fishermen and recreational ship owners. It is indeed a navigation channel that allows to move from one fishing area on foot to another, to go to oyster farms or to navigate between anchorage areas and the main channel. It could also change the natural environments present due to an induced effect on the current : increase in the surface area of the mudflats, or even deterioration of the biological state of the walking fishing zone with a decrease in the production of shellfishes, or modification of the eelgrass beds, habitats of community interest.

To address thequestions of boaters, shellfish farmers, and elected officials, the Mixed Union of the Etel Ria engages the LGO-UBS to conduct a study to characterize the silting of the northeast sector ofthe Saint-Cado channel (Belz), its economic, social, and environmental consequences , and identify solutions to remedy this situation.

Locations of deployment points for hydrodynamic measurement devices and samples

Main actions

The project has 4 components :

VOLET 1 : sedimentary characterization of the study site,

VOLET 2 : hydrodynamic characterization of the study area,

VOLET 3 : hydro-morpho-sedimentary processes characterization of the site,

VOLET 4 : characterization of the economic, social and environmental consequences of this silting and proposal of technical solutions for the re-establishment of local hydrodynamic circulation, if necessary.

HydroGolfe 2 project partners