Field Measurements, Sediment Tracer Study, and Numerical Modeling at Coos Bay Inlet, Oregon
Abstract
This report documents a field data collection program, including the sediment tracer study, and numerical modeling investigation for dredged material placed in the nearshore area of an ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) adjacent to Coos Bay Inlet, OR. The collected data around the inlet system were assembled, analyzed, and used to calibrate and validate the Coastal Modeling System (CMS) and the Particle Tracking Model (PTM). Sediment transport pathways and fate of placed material were evaluated. The model and sediment tracer study results indicate that the tracer placed within the nearshore ODMDS primarily moves alongshore towards the inlet at the initial stage of the release. Material arriving at the inlet channel and ebb shoal is jettisoned offshore by strong ebb currents. The results also show that the sediment tracer spreads northward alongshore due to strong dominant southerly wind across the inner continental shelf. At and outside the inlet, finer particles are transported the farthest offshore and away from the navigation channel and nearshore ODMDS area. A new sediment mapping technique applied in model simulations demonstrates migration and burial for sediments placed in the nearshore ODMDS. Both CMS and PTM results compare well with those of the sediment tracer study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1056709
Entities
People
- Hans R. Moritz
- Honghai Li
- Jon Marsh
- Katharine C. Groth
- Tahirih C. Lackey
- Tanya M. Beck
- Trapier Puckette
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center