The construction of breakwaters north of the Mondego River estuary, along with upstream river regulation through dams and dikes that retain sandy sediments, prevents the river’s natural dynamics from replenishing the beaches with sand.
Pilot Project 6 will analyze the Mondego River’s sediment dynamics in its estuary to understand the importance of both factors and design actions that allow for beach recovery, since their loss has a serious impact on the Blue Economy, limiting the tourism potential of Figueira da Foz.
To this end, hydrodynamic and geomorphological models of the estuary and marine currents will be developed to identify the origin of sand loss and test Nature-based Solutions designed for its replenishment.
The use of numerical models will allow for the verification of the effects of different scenarios, and therefore avoid undesirable indirect effects of the solutions that will be proposed to both the Figueira da Fox City Council and the ARH (Mondego River Basin Authority).
The proposals will seek maximum environmental and financial sustainability in the same way: by harnessing ocean currents and tides to contribute to beach recovery, using structures such as underwater breakwaters, or demolishing existing ones, provided that the hydraulic model demonstrates the effectiveness of their designs and the absence of adverse effects on the coastal environment.