The Mystery of Historical Channel Shoaling at Houston-Galveston Navigation Channel, TX
Abstract
Improvements to coastal-estuarine channels such as deepening and widening increase channel reliability, allow transit of larger vessels at greater speeds, and improve the local and regional economy. However, these benefits are often accompanied by an increase in the rate of channel shoaling, the need to find dredged material placement sites, and environmental concerns. Methods available to estimate the change in magnitude and location of channel shoaling are limited in accuracy because of a lack in understanding of the forcing-response processes. The Houston-Galveston Navigation Channel has a historical dataset with which to evaluate processes causing changes in navigation channel shoaling as a function of channel improvements. We evaluate 7 hypotheses to explain patterns and magnitudes of channel shoaling. Results indicate that it is likely that subsidence in the Houston-Galveston region and a period of decreased storm frequency and intensity affected the observed reduction in channel shoaling from 1948-1995.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA578396
Entities
People
- Alejandro Sánchez
- Jennifer N. Tate
- Julie Dean Rosati
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center