Bathymetric Control of Front Generation in a Tidal River

Abstract

A persistent tidal front is observed on ebb tide in the vicinity of the Nanjemoy Creek diversion on the Potomac River in Maryland. This front forms along the boundary between the creek water mass and the main river water ma ss and is evidence of low lateral mixing in the area of the front. An accurate numerical model of the river-creek geometry is able to reproduce this feature using realistic tidal and river forcing. Further investigation with an idealized model shows the importance of downstream (ebb) mudflats and shoals in generating this persistent flow structure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA562756

Entities

People

  • Cheryl A. Blain
  • Paul Mckay
  • Richard P. Mied

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Photography
  • Boundaries
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Elevation
  • Floods
  • Flow
  • Frequency
  • Geographic Regions
  • Groundwater
  • Maryland
  • Military Research
  • North America
  • Potomac River
  • Shallow Water
  • Storm Surges
  • Three Dimensional
  • Water Masses

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering