CHAPTER 2
EVALUATION OF POST-DREDGING
SCENARIOS IN THE FLUVIAL
CHANNEL (GUAYAS RIVER), NEAR
BUOYS 35R–40R, THROUGH THE
ESTIMATION OF SEDIMENTATION
RATES USING NUMERICAL
MODELING
Presented by:
Anahi Marin & Leonardo Choez
METHODOLOGY
01 02 03 04 05
Empathize Define Ideate Prototype Test
General Objective / Geospatial Solution Numerical Model Calibration
Specific Objectives Information Alternatives Configuration Validation
Need / Problem Processing (QGIS) Decision Matrix (Delft3D) Analysis of
Client Database Results
Study Area Construction
Literature Review
GENERAL OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Determine the sedimentation rate in the Sitio Nuevo
Analyze historical bathymetry and sediment information from
area of the Fluvial Channel (Guayas River) during the 01 the study area, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
period 1998–2026, through the development of a
for the organization and spatial representation of the data.
numerical sediment transport model using historical
information and in-situ collected data, in order to
evaluate the evolution of sedimentary accumulation To construct a hydrodynamic model of the study area using
and its influence on the navigability of the channel. 02 numerical models, to represent the behavior of the currents
and hydraulic conditions of the Guayas River fluvial channel.
To construct a morphodynamic model of the study area
03 using numerical models, to simulate the processes of
transport and accumulation of sediments in the study area.
Conduct field trips to obtain and verify in-situ information
04 necessary for the validation of the numerical model.
Simulate short and long-term scenarios using numerical
05 models, in order to evaluate the behavior of sediment
transport and the evolution of sedimentation in the study
area.
INTRODUCTION
NEED STUDY AREA
Estimate the average sedimentation rate
in the Sitio Nuevo area after a possible
dredging.
PROBLEM
The fluvial navigation channel of the Guayas
River experiences progressive changes in its
depth due to sedimentation processes that
modify the morphology of the riverbed.
CLIENT
Jan De Nul is a Belgian multinational
company specialized in maritime
engineering and dredging, responsible for
the maintenance and deepening operations
of the access channel to the Port of
Guayaquil and the fluvial system of the
Guayas River.
INFORMATION COMPILATION
Secondary Information Primary Information
Background and Bibliography Field work
Hydrodynamic and sedimentological studies of Collection of water samples.
the Guayas River. Collection of botton sediments.
Research on erosion, sedimentation, and Measurement of currents.
morphological changes. Observation of the physical conditions of the
Applications of GIS and numerical modeling in study area
estuarine systems.
Historical Information
Bathymetric surveys from Jan De Nul (2006, 2021,
and 2025).
Bathymetric surveys provided by INOCAR (1998–
2022).
Historical sedimentological data.
Tide and flow records
GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING (QGIS)
SOLUTION ALTERNATIVES
Proposal 1 Proposal 2
Estimation of the sedimentation Estimation of the
rate through multitemporal VS sedimentation rate through
analysis of bathymetric surveys numerical modeling using
using QGIS. Delft3D.
Generation of multitemporal Digital Elevation 01 01 Hydrodynamic and sedimentological simulation
Models (DEM) from historical bathymetric surveys
Comparison using the DEM of Difference (DoD) 02 02 Integration of physical conditions of the system
method to detect changes in the riverbed.
Quantification of sedimentation through spatial 03 03 Morphological evolution analysis
statistics.
Results
Bathymetric change map (sedimentation). 2D Model 3D Model
Volume of accumulated or eroded sediments. Water level Distribution of erosion and
Historical sedimentation rate (m/year or m³/year). Flow direction sedimentation
Spatially identified zones of deposition and erosion. Bed shear stress
Flow velocity
(Armido, Azmeri, Fatimah, Nurbaiti, & Norma Yolanda, 2020)
(Wang, Chu, Dai, & Nienhuis, 2024)