Issues concerning the sediment load in the Yahara River have been examined, but the exact cause of shoreline erosion and  sediment accumulation in the Yahara River outlet are not fully understood.  Previously, Theresa Possley, a UW-Madison student, spent time observing this problem.   She used calculations of wave refraction to draw the refraction patterns in the Lake Mendota outlet to the Yahara River by hand.  Professor Wu suggested that I use STWAVE 8.1 to model the wave refraction potential in Lake Mendota near the Yahara River outlet and compare results with Theresa’s study and make further observations.  Overall, I anticipate on discovering more conclusive results to determine how the sediment is being transported and accumulated.