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Tidal Circulation in a Sinuous Coastal Plain Estuary

Tidal Circulation in a Sinuous Coastal Plain Estuary. H. Seim, UNC-CH J. Blanton, S. Elston, SkIO. Tidal propagation – interaction with the shelf Residual circulation Overtides. M 2 Elevation without estuaries – tide experiences two-fold amplitude increase and notable phase change. NC.

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Tidal Circulation in a Sinuous Coastal Plain Estuary

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  1. Tidal Circulation in a Sinuous Coastal Plain Estuary H. Seim, UNC-CH J. Blanton, S. Elston, SkIO Tidal propagation – interaction with the shelf Residual circulation Overtides

  2. M2 Elevation without estuaries – tide experiences two-fold amplitude increase and notable phase change NC SC GA FL • Finite Element • Nonlinear • 2D (ADCIRC) • Western North Atl. • Crossshelf Amplification • Equatorward phase propagation • Latest phase along GA/FL border • Shelf response sensitive m (B. Blanton)

  3. In the SAB large sections of the coastline are backed by extensive estuaries depth (m) (K. Smith, D. Lynch)

  4. M2 Solution Elevation Difference Amplitude Ratio Est sol’n Amp -------------------------- > 1 NoEst sol’n Amp Phase Diff (in red) Est Phase - NoEst Phase >0 (B. Blanton)

  5. Including estuaries increases dissipation >25%... Strange result – inclusion of highly dissipative estuaries leads to 10% increase in tidal range. Log10W/m2 Longitude Latitude (B. Blanton)

  6. Satilla River 1 m tide 2-4 m mean depth 50 m3/s avg riverflow 0.5-1 m/s tidal currents Pristine, typically 2 channel 5 km MHHW width, 1km MLW width

  7. Depth-scaling accounts for ~25% of variance – rest due to non-linearities?

  8. M2 phase – earlier in shallow channels, remarkable changes at triple junction

  9. M2+M4 fit reasonable on neap, arger residuals on spring tides

  10. Conclusions • Damping of propagation appears weak – need to do some simple modeling • Tidal residual flows strong, structure reminiscent of headland eddies • Sub-basin exhibits much different behavior • Overtide generation complex, varies spatially and with time.

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