5 Summary and 

 Recommendations 



This chapter summarizes the DMS concepts and their application to the high- 

 shoaling rates in the channels through East Pass Inlet. The case study resulted in 

 solutions to the shoaling problems developed through the application of each of 

 the DMS modules: the DMS-Data Manager, the DMS-Manual, and the DMS- 

 Analytical Toolbox. Application of these modules produced a synthesis of 

 observations of the morphology, hydrodynamic processes, dredging records, and 

 hydrodynamic and wave modeling results. This synthesis provides information 

 and a framework from which to make informed decisions for taking corrective 

 measures to address sediment shoaling at East Pass. 



Summary 



The purpose of this research was to evaluate DMS concepts through its 

 application to the excessive channel shoaling found at East Pass Inlet near 

 Destin, Florida. The DMS methodology entails a three-pronged approach to 

 examining shoaling problems: 



• DMS-Data Manager. After locating all available data on a maintained 

 channel, the engineer enters the pertinent information into the DMS-Data 

 Manager. This GIS-based software tool displays all the information 

 pertaining to a channel in a graphical format. This tool allows the 

 engineer to consolidate in one program all the data, which may be 

 contained in multiple formats, concerning a channel. The software's 

 graphical format gives the engineer a visual picture of shoaling hot spots 

 and their location relative to the geomorphology of the surrounding 

 areas. The engineer can compare this picture with idealized sketches 

 found in the DMS-Manual. 



• DMS-Manual. This field guide of shoaling problems contains 

 descriptions, examples, and diagrams of several shoaling classifications. 

 The engineer matches the picture of the shoaling hot spot created with 

 the DMS-Data Manager to the correct classification to identify the type 

 of shoal. The description of the physical processes that create the shoal 

 will point to possible mitigation methods. 



• DMS-Analytical Toolbox. Often, shoaling mechanisms require a greater 

 understanding than that provided via the DMS-Manual. The 



Chapter 5 Summary and Recommendations 51 



