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Sedimentation Modeling & Morphology Assessment

Shoaling, Scouring, Suspension Load, and Bed Load

Listed below are many of the projects we’ve completed for our clients over the years. We’ve chosen to focus and expand on several key examples which are highlighted in blue. Clicking on those projects allows you to view in-depth what services NCI provided as well as details on the project itself.

Yosemite Slough Wetlands Restoration

San Francisco, CA

The Yosemite Slough Wetlands Restoration is currently an on-going project. Yosemite Slough is part of the Candlestick Point State Park Recreational Area. The purpose of the project is to expand wetlands in the area, provide public access, and improve wildlife habitats. A previous phase of the project involved developing alternatives, estimating construction costs, and preparing a feasibility report. NCI is responsible for hydrodynamic analysis, surveying, preparing grading plans, designing public paths, preparing construction cost estimates, and preparing contract documents.


Design will consider, and dispose of as necessary, contaminated sediments in the area. The modeling study was part of the wetland restoration project and includes both the hydrodynamic simulation and sediment transport simulation for the Yosemite Canal and South Basin. The RMA2 model within the Surface-Water Modeling System (SMS) was used for the hydrodynamic simulation and the SED2D model was applied for the sediment transport simulation.



Yosemite Slough Wetlands Restoration Yosemite Slough Wetlands Restoration

Hydrologic & Hydraulic Feasibility Study, Phase II

Bel Marin Keys, CA

NCI is currently under contract with the Corps of Engineers (San Francisco District) to perform on-call design services for navigation and water resources projects. The Phase II study for the Bel Marin Keys V Wetland Restoration project is part of the overall Hamilton Wetlands Restoration and the work order is to perform an assessment of hydraulics, hydrodynamics, and sediment movement in Novato Creek located in San Francisco Bay. The tasks include bathymetric survey in Novato Creek, deployment and retrieval of tide gages and current meters, and hydraulic & hydrodynamic numerical simulations. The hydraulic simulations are to assess the potential impacts to water levels at various reaches of the creek under 19 different scenarios of flood and project improvement conditions. The tidal-induced estuarine hydrodynamic modeling is to characterize water level and currents throughout the Lower Novato Creek so as to address any potential shoaling and scouring impacts resulting from the proposed Bel Marin Keys V wetland restoration.



Hydrologic & Hydraulic Feasibility Study, Phase II Hydrologic & Hydraulic Feasibility Study, Phase II Hydrologic & Hydraulic Feasibility Study, Phase II

San Onofre Lagoon Estuary Enhancement Report

Camp Pendleton, CA

NCI prepared a report recommending an enhancement plan for the improvement of the San Onofre Lagoon, which is located on the U.S. Marine Corp’s Camp Pendleton base. Work consisted of site visits, data collection, engineering analysis and evaluation of the site’s hydrology/oceanography conditions to identify erosion characteristics, and proposing a range of feasible alternatives including structural and non-structural measures to enhance the San Onofre Lagoon. A detailed hydrodynamic analysis under small or moderate flood conditions was performed using the modules of RMA2 and SED2D of the Surface-Water Modeling System (SMS) that was developed by the Corps of Engineers to simulate the flow field within the lagoon boundary and to estimate the potential sediment scouring and re-deposition in the proposed excavation areas for various lagoon habitat improvement options.


The RMA2 modeled results indicate that flow pattern in San Onofre Lagoon will be altered under each proposed enhancement option, particularly during a flood event, as the direct consequence of the changed lagoon configuration. Based upon the SED2D modeled results, sediment deposition occurs throughout most of the lagoon region, particularly in the proposed expansion areas. It was estimated that 20 percent of the storage capacity would be refilled under a 5-year flood event. Therefore, the estimated re-excavation cycle is approximately from 5 to 10 years.


The effectiveness of each lagoon enhancement alternative in improving the lagoon marine habitat and preventing bank erosion was then assessed for the selection of an optimal alternative. In addition, construction costs for the proposed alternatives were also presented in the analysis, based upon each itemized estimate of mobilization/demobilization, construction material, required construction equipment and manpower.



San Onofre Lagoon Estuary Enhancement Report San Onofre Lagoon Estuary Enhancement Report
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