3.1 Inundation
During larger tides (spring) bottom of the bank repairs are exposed and fully covered. During smaller (neap) tides the lower edge of the bank repair has water on it.

Figure 6: cross section of elevation of constructions (heights in CD)
3.2 Biodiversity
Adjacent Site:
The next nearest site where biodiversity was measured is Barking Creek, Creekmouth which is 10.5 km further up-estuary. The salinity will be significantly lower there. However, as the feature created at Barking Creekmouth was a curving creek it will have lower energy in terms of waves and currents than Dartford Creek Erosion Protection. In term of similarity of construction, Barking Creek, A13 Frogmore was probably the most similar to Dartford Creek, Erosion Protection but biodiversity was not assessed at A13 Frogmore.
Fish:
No fish surveys were conducted at this site. See Barking Creek, Creekmouth for the nearest similar site.
Botany:
No surveys of the flora were conducted at this site. See Barking Creek, Creekmouth for the nearest similar site.
Invertebrates:
No invertebrate samples were taken at this site. See Barking Creek, Creekmouth for the nearest similar site.
3.2 Geomorphology
At both the northern and southern sections 100% of the accretable area has accreted with sediment above the design level (Figure 7). Note that as this was previously erosional, this denotes success in the erosion protection. However, some patches have not accreted as well as others and here the metal wire used in construction is exposed above the mudflat surface (Figures 8 and 9).
True saltmarsh exists here and this is not cliffing in the two erosion protected areas, indicating stability (Figure 10).
(a)

(b)

Figure 7: Schematic showing geomorphology and basic ecology for (a) Southern site and 250 m further north (b) Northern site.
Contributing reasons for this include:
- Brushwood and timber facines provide enough reduction in currents and promote enough sediment deposition to overcome the meander migration.
- Plentiful sediment supply.

Figure 8: Dartford Creek Erosion Protection, northern section, looking east in Spring 2018, showing an area which has not accreted as well as others and/or it has sunk as the brushwood has biodegraded and hence the metal wire used in construction is exposed above the mudflat surface. Source: Environment Agency.

Figure 9 (left): Dartford Creek Erosion Protection, northern section, looking north in Spring 2018, showing the best accretion being in the centre of this section with exposed metal wire either side. Source: Environment Agency.

Figure 10 (right): Dartford Creek Erosion Protection, southern section, looking north in Spring 2018, showing no cliffing of saltmarsh which is generally indicative of no erosion. Source: Environment Agency.