A Numerical Study of Currents, Water Surface Elevations, and Energy Dissipation in Chandeleur-Breton Sound, Louisiana.
Abstract
Numerical methods in the form of a digital computer model were used to simulate and study the tide- and wind-induced circulation in Chandeleur-Breton Sounds, which form a bar-built estuary southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. The model output agreed very well with current observations taken over a 6-month period at 15 widely spaced stations in and around the estuary. The responses of the model estuary to average, tropic, and equatorial tides were studied in detail. It was found that the estuary exhibits low current speeds, on the order of 10-20 cm/sec, except in some of the shallow entrances through the Chandeleur Island chain, where speed reaches 50-60 cm/sec for short periods. Surface elevations were found to have an average tide range of 60 cm at the northwestern end of the estuary and to increase in range to 90 cm during tropic tides. The range in the sourthern part of the estuary was about 15 cm less at all times. It was also shown that the estuary responds directly to an applied wind force and that the expected set-up of the surface is in the downwind direction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA053358
Entities
People
- William E. Hart
Organizations
- Louisiana State University