Numerical Modeling of Wave Overtopping of Buffalo Harbor Confined Disposal Facility (CDF4)
Abstract
This report provides details of a numerical modeling study conducted to provide estimates of wave overtopping of the Buffalo Harbor Confined Disposal Facility (CDF4). The CDF4 is situated adjacent to the South Entrance Channel to Buffalo Harbor, NY, along the south shoreline of the Lake Erie. This contaminated material holding facility experiences periodic overtopping during significant storm events. There is concern that overtopping waves may cause the contaminated fine-grain sediments inside the CDF to mobilize, some of which may get transported over the South Entrance Arm Breakwater (SEAB) into the south harbor entrance, navigation channel and harbor complex. The present study focused on predictive estimates of waves and wave overtopping, so flow and sediment transport modeling were not considered. Instead, it was assumed that if flow occurred over the SEAB, some sediment would exit also. Wave processes in the exterior and interior areas of CDF4 were investigated to determine wave runup and overtopping for the existing CDF system using two classes of wave models: CMS-Wave, a spectral wind-wave generation, growth and transformation model, and a nonlinear Boussinesq-type wave model (BOUSS-1D/2D). This report documents details of the modeling study, including data used in the study, results and recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1041581
Entities
People
- Geoffrey K. Hintz
- Lihwa Lin
- Michael C. Mohr
- Okey G. Nwogu
- Shanon Chader
- Zeki Demirbilek
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center