Engineering Study of Inlet Entrance Hydrodynamics: Grays Harbor, Washington, USA

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA482439 | Open PDF

Abstract:

An extensive field data collection effort was undertaken in Fall 1999 to examine wave propagation and currents through an inlet entrance. These data support a circulation and wave model for Grays Harbor, Washington, a jettied entrance with a large tidal prism. Both the field data and model results show wave attenuation in the inlet entrance, flood currents strongest on the north side of the inlet, and ebb currents more uniformly distributed. The influence of the tidal current and water level on wave transformation was also examined. Ebb current produces the greatest change at the inlet entrance, increasing wave heights by as much as 0.5-1.5 m. Flood current increases wave height at the seaward end of the entrance due to the ebb shoal redirecting flow offshore, but reduces wave height in the inlet throat. Water level has a minimal impact on wave height in the inlet entrance, but does control wave height in the back bay.

Author(s):
Cialone, Mary A. ; Kraus, Nicholas C.
Author Organization(s):
ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER VICKSBURG MS COASTAL AND HYDRAULICS LAB
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Presented at the Conference on Coastal Dynamics (4th) held in Lund, Sweden on 11-15 June 2001. Published in the Proceedings of the Conference on Coastal Dynamics (4th), p413-422, 2001. The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0011

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
USAED/WA
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_6.3.3_Spectrum Management; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.3_Net Management; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_8_Building Partnerships
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Descriptor(s):
*INLETS(WATERWAYS), *OCEAN WAVES, *MATHEMATICAL MODELS, *OCEAN CURRENTS, HYDRODYNAMICS, HEIGHT, ATTENUATION, WASHINGTON(STATE), TIDAL CURRENTS, SYMPOSIA, WAVE PROPAGATION
Field(s)/Group(s):
Physical and Dynamic Oceanography, Hydrology, Limnology and Potamology
Keyword(s):
*GRAYS HARBOR(WASHINGTON), FLOOD CURRENTS, EBB CURRENTS, WATER LEVEL
Report Date:
2001 Jan 01
Creation Date:
2008 Jun 25