Plans for the Improvement of the St. Johns River, Jacksonville to the Atlantic Ocean: Model Investigation
Abstract
The model study was concerned with the determination of: (a) the effects of dredging the ship channel of the St. Johns River from Jacksonville to the ocean, from a depth of 30 ft to 34 ft at local mean low water; (b) the most satisfactory of three proposed alignments for a cutoff between Dames Point and Fulton for purposes of navigation; (c) the effects of deepening the channel and constructing the cutoff upon the Jacksonville harbor as a whole; and (d) the additional works that would be desirable or necessary to obtain the best results from the cutoff finally selected. The tests herein reported were made on a hydraulic model of the fixed-bed type which reproduced approximately 110 miles of the St. Johns River and all of its major tributaries from the ocean to Welaka, Florida. Tides and tidal currents were reproduced by means of an automatic device constructed for that purpose. After the model had been adjusted and its similarity to the prototype verified) tests were made of a curved cutoff, a straight cutoff, and a modified straight cutoff. Studies were made to determine the effects of each plan from the viewpoints of navigation, possible bank erosion, and stagnation of certain areas; a test was also made to determine the feasibility of realigning and lengthening Wards Bank training wall near the mouth of the river to reduce shoaling in that area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1947
- Accession Number
- ADA637752