Michelle Wild
PhD Candidate
(Civil and Natural Resources Engineering)
Degree
BE (1st class Hons) Civil Eng, - University of Canterbury,
NZ
MS (Civil Eng), California Institute of Technology,
USA
Nationality : From
New Zealand : Christchurch
Contact Details
Room: 3rd Floor Civil/Mechanical Building, Room
Phone: +64 3 364 2987 (internal: 7313)
Fax: +64 3 364 2758
Email: maw56@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Interests:
Traveling and my two year old son
Supervisor(s)
Tom Cochrane, Tim Davies, David Painter and Murray Hicks
Research
Growth dynamics and management of braided alluvial river deltas in New Zealand
In New Zealand there are many alluvial river systems that are well supplied with transportable sediments. These sediments migrate along river systems until they are deposited in lakes, or at the confluence of adjoining rivers, in the form of river deltas. To develop a better understanding of the progradation rates and growth dynamics of river deltas, three deltas have been selected for this study, based on the impacts that the growth of these deltas will have on local communities and infrastructure. These study deltas are the: Rees-Dart River delta, Shotover River delta, and Clutha River/Mata-Au delta (at the upstream limit of Lake Dunstan).
Rees-Dart River delta |
Shotover River delta |
Clutha River/ |
Initially, a desktop study of historic aerial photos and cross-sections, complemented by fieldwork involving the collection of lake depth and delta sediment data, enable sedimentation rates for the Rees-Dart and Clutha deltas to be determined. The calculated sedimentation rates can then be used as input sediment volumes for micro-scale hydraulic models, which will allow visualisation and quantification of delta progradation rates and growth dynamics. Ideally, this will lead to the development of a simple numerical model that will allow delta progradation to be estimated for the next century, based on historic sedimentation rates, sediment characteristics and the receiving basin geometry.
By improving predictions of delta progradation, and gaining a better understanding of the behaviour of braided alluvial river deltas, local authorities will be able to improve their assessments of potential impacts and risks associated with braided river deltas. It is expected that this information will be most useful for development control and disaster mitigation purposes.
It should be noted that as the Shotover River delta is located at the junction of the Kawarau River, rather than a lake, some sediment from the Shotover catchment will be transported away from the delta. Sedimentation rates for the upstream catchment therefore need to be determined by other methods than those used for the Rees-Dart and Clutha deltas. ORC have informed us that this delta will be modified in the near future, partially based on the results of a recent micro-scale modelling study, so this delta will be studied once the changes to the delta have been made. Initial research will focus in the Rees-Dart and Clutha deltas.
Corporate Sponsers
Publications (Client reports)
Wild, M. Snellings waterway: modelling of proposed development at 309 Burwood Road. December 2006. Prepared for O’Donnell Waters Family Trust.
Wild, M.; Stephens, S.; Bell, R. August 2006. Extreme return values of sea level, tide and barometric pressure at Anawhata and Whale Bay. Prepared for Coastal Systems Ltd.
Wild, M.; Hicks, M.; Merrilees, R. July 2006. Suspended sediment monitoring in the Motueka catchment: data report to 1 May 2006. Prepared for Landcare Research Ltd.
Wild, M.; Hicks, M. October 2005. Opitonui Stream suspended sediment analysis. Prepared for Environment Waikato.
Wild, M; Bell, R. September 2005. Sumner sea-level station: annual report for 2004. Prepared for Environment Canterbury.
Wild, M.; Bell, R.; Walsh, J. August 2005. Otago extreme sea level analysis. Prepared for Otago Regional Council.
Mullan, B.; Salinger, J.; Thompson, C.; Ramsay, D.; Wild, M. June 2005. Chatham Islands climate change. Prepared for Ministry for the Environment.
Wild, M.; Flanagan, M.; Walter, K. May 2005. Christchurch City Council hydrometric network annual report – 1 January to 31 December 2004. Prepared for Christchurch City Council.
McKerchar, A.; Wild, M. January 2005. Nevis River – Hydrology and the impact of storage. Prepared for Pioneer Generation Ltd.
Wild, M.; Woods, R.; McKerchar, A. November 2004. Vaturu Dam Hydrology. Prepared for Maunsell Ltd.
Wild, M.; Flanagan, M. November 2004. Christchurch City Council hydrometric monitoring services monitoring station – capital expenditure review 2004/5. Prepared for Christchurch City Council.
Henderson, R.; Wild, M. September 2004. Comparison of simulated natural and operational flows in the Waiau River downstream of the Manapouri Lake Control Structure. Prepared for Meridian Energy Ltd.
Hicks, M.; Henderson, R.; Wild, M. 2004. Effects of changes in Manapouri Lake Control flood discharges on flows and bedload transport in the lower Waiau River. Prepared for Meridian Energy Ltd.