The Dell Eco-Reef is a trial reef that was installed at a sheltered coastal site near Clifton Springs, approximately 20 km from Geelong. The reef consists of an array of bespoke reef modules that were specifically designed to enhance the local ecology as well as to reduce the height of waves near the shoreline. Initial numerical modelling undertaken during design development suggested the reef array would have considerable wave attenuation potential. The reef has now been in place for more than 2 years with some notable changes to the surrounding area. Most notable has been the substantial reestablishment of seagrass around and between the modules.
In this presentation, we will present the results of hydrodynamic measurements of the actual wave attenuation at the reef as well as detailed 3D numerical modelling of how the reef has affected the local hydrodynamic environment, and discuss how these changes may explain what has been observed at the site.