Lunch lecture: The effect of climate change, a new hydropower dam and irrigation development on salt intrusion in the Gambia estuary

Part of Delta Futures Lab webinar series on future challenges of Delta regions.

Date: Friday 21st of May
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 [CET]
Location: Online
Speaker: Bor van der Scheer
Organised by: Delta Futures lab

A change in flow pattern or changing river characteristics in coastal plain estuaries influence saltwater intrusion. Gambia, a small country in West-Africa is largely dependent on the major river flowing through its country. A pronounced wet and dry season governs river flow and therefore salt intrusion throughout the year. Agriculture has been developed making use of the rivers tide, forestry consists of the sustainable cutting of mangroves and fisheries are making use of the plentiful life in the estuary; the common factor is the dependability on sufficient freshwater and consistency in salt intrusion expectations. However, climate change, a new hydropower dam upstream and irrigation development within the rivers catchment all influence the flow pattern and/or the river characteristics. This research looks into the effects of climate change, hydropower dam operations and irrigation development on salt intrusion in the Gambia river up to 2100 by making use of a 1D model.

About The Delta Futures lab

The Delta Futures lab is a multidisciplinary network for MSc-students, staff and practice with the ambition to become interdisciplinary leaders in spatial design, engineering and governance of deltas. The Lab unites master students, researchers and professionals in multidisciplinary projects. It enriches and supports master students in becoming the mission-oriented engineers that future delta societies need. 

The Friday lunch lectures are on the state-of-the-art and state of the future developments of deltas. The lectures are online and open to all students, researchers and professionals interested in dealing with future challenges of Delta regions. The participants form a broadly international and interdisciplinary group. With participants joining from the engineering, planning and design fields, originating from the Netherlands, Ghana, Mexico, Myanmar and Vietnam.