Coastal Zone Engineering

Mrs. Sharelle Jackson

In order to model a coastal area it is necessary to conduct a baseline study. Data collection is critical to this study which includes the sampling of physical conditions such as: sediment size, currents, waves, sediment transport, tides, weather and also employing various measurement exercises such as: bathymetric surveys and beach profiles. She is the Technician that collects this data by applying innovative technologies and methods. This data is then used as the inputs in the numerical analysis in software’s such as Mike and CEDAS. It is also used for calibration and to test models to perform confirmatory analysis and to verify outcomes. Most importantly, this data forms the basis of technical reports that are used as key decision support tools to build a greater understanding of the state of beaches and the many processes that impact coastal communities and environments.

Sharelle is a graduate from the Departments’ Coastal Engineering and Management Masters’ degree. She also completed a BSc in Surveying and Land Information in 2006; and has several years of experience working in Geomatics where she was exposed to the many technologies that aid in the collection, manipulation, visualization and overall management of the spatial data. The unique skill she possesses makes her an invaluable tool in collecting data on land, nearshore and offshore. She joined the Department in 2013 in the data collection section of Coastal Engineering after working as a Land Surveyor for three years with the Government of Botswana – Tawana Land Board.