CAPE TOWN CLIMATE CHANGE THINK TANK

PRDW was appointed by the City of Cape Town to calculate the Marine Inputs to the Salt River flood model. The analysis included calculations for climate change conditions, wave refraction modelling and overtopping.

The City of Cape Town (CCT) has established the Climate Change Think Tank using funding from the Royal Danish Embassy. One of the research areas identified is the marine and freshwater interface. This comprises research and modelling to better understand the implications of marine and freshwater systems interacting under a changing climate. The flood modelling has been undertaken using the SWMM model of the Salt River catchment which has been set up by SRK Consulting.

PRDW has determined the following marine inputs to this model in order to accurately represent the flooding risks from the sea both now and with future climate change:

• Sea levels including tide, storm surge and wave setup, taking into account the effects of climate change, i.e. sea level rise, increased storminess, etc.
• Wave overtopping of the shoreline on either side of the Salt River mouth

The results of the study will be combined with the SWMM catchment flood model in order to map flooding and setback lines for the City of Cape Town.

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