Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd.
 Scientific Research, Consultancy and Investigations

              
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Coastal processes and future management options for the Alde-Ore estuary, Suffolk
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The Alde-Ore estuary is unusual in that it does not display the typical 'trumpet' plan shape which is characteristic of many estuaries. The estuary consists of three tidal river reaches: the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers. The estuary is bounded on the seaward side by the large barrier spit and ness complex of Orfordness. On the landward side, extensive areas of saltmarsh have been reclaimed, possibly since Roman times, to provide areas for cattle grazing. The evolution of the Alde-Ore estuary and Orfordness can be studied by examining borehole records of the saltmarsh sediments, mapping and surveying of the sequence of shingle ridges which occur along the length of Orfordness, and research of historical maps and documentary evidence. More recent changes can be studied by examining airborne lidar topographic survey data, ground-based topographic surveys, bathymetric surveys, aerial photographs, and measurements of winds, waves and tides.

Digital terrain model of the Alde-Ore Estuary, generated using lidar data flown in 2003.

Enlarged lidar image of Orford Ness, showing the sequence of shingle ridges to the south of the ness,
backed by reclaimed saltmarsh. The white area in the centre of the image is a former gravel extraction site.

    
Historical Ordnance Survey maps of Orford Ness, covering the same area as the lidar image above. The map
on the left dates from c. 1840, while that on the right dates from c. 1970.

    
A wave rose for an offshore point c. 40 km south-east         A wind rose showing the mean wind and direction
of Orford Ness recorded between 2002 and 2007              recorded at Hemsby between 1981 and 2000
(data from CEEFAS)                                                          (data from Meteorological Office)

A combined topographic and bathymetric profile from NW to SE showing the river channels on either side of Havergate Island, Orford Beach,
and the depth of the sea bed to 1 km offshore. Note the river walls (c. 3 m high) and the shingle ridges on Orford Beach (c. 4.5 m high).
Surveyed by the Environment Agency, 2002-2003.

Publications and Reports

Pye, K. and Blott, S.J. (2005). Alde and Ore Estuary Flood Management Strategy - Assessment of Background Evidence and Recommendation for Further Action. Volume 2: Tables and Figures. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Research Report ER510, 78 pp.

Pye, K. and Blott, S.J. (2005). Alde and Ore Estuary Flood Management Strategy - Assessment of Background Evidence and Recommendation for Further Action. Volume 1. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Research Report ER509, 14 pp.

Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd. - Environmental Consultants
Page last modified: July 11, 2007