Analysis and Modeling of Inlet Observations

Abstract

The objective is to determine how well waves, currents, and morphological change near an inlet can be predicted given known forcing (tides, waves, currents), initial bathymetry, and sediment characteristics. We propose to continue to investigate existing field observations of waves, currents, and bathymetry from Katama Inlet, MarthaÕs Vineyard, MA and New River Inlet, NC by: ¥ Analyzing the observations of bathymetry, waves, and currents on the ebb shoals, within the inlet channels, and in the bays behind the inlets, ¥ Testing and improving models (e.g., Delft3D) of inlet hydro- and morphodynamics by comparing the observations with model simulations, and ¥ Using the model and the observations to determine the relative importance of tidal currents, wave-driven mean flows, and waves to inlet processes. We also will continue collaborations with DRI, MURI, and other colleagues to test models for inlet processes, to ground truth remote sensing studies, and to initialize and validate data assimilative models that invert for the underlying bathymetry.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jun 10, 2016
Source ID
N000141612193

Entities

People

  • Stephen Elgar

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography