Photo 1 (Return)

Green arrow - Directions of wave dominated sand and/or gravel drift (medium reliability)
Orange arrow - Net directions of tidal dominated bedload transport (low reliability)

Entrance to Bembridge Harbour demonstrating the complex configuration of the inlet and the abundance of sediment seaward of the harbour entrance (21.09.98). Bembridge Point (1) and its attached intertidal sandbank (2) have grown northward progressively infilling and deflecting the tidal channel. The St Helens Duver (3) a vegetated dune system has grown southward by shore drift. A notable flood tidal delta (4) has developed as silt and sands are driven into the inlet. A morphological interpretation of the main directions of transport is indicated by the arrows. Sediments entering the main inlet channel are believed to be transported seaward by tidal currents eventually becoming re-circulated shoreward by wave action. Sediments may therefore bypass the inlet and move northward towards Nettlestone Point.