Issues Related to Modeling the Transport of Suspended Sediments in Northern San Francisco Bay, California

by Ellen Thomas McDonald, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, United States,
Ralph T. Cheng, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Estuarine and Coastal Modeling

Abstract:

Measurements of suspended sediment concentrations at several deep-channel stations in San Francisco Bay are reviewed. Sediment concentrations are found to be strongly correlated with delta outflow, tidal, and spring/neap variations. However, little to no correlation is observed between wind speed and sediment concentration in the deep channel. A two-dimensional depth-averaged sediment transport model has been developed which includes the effects of tidal and spring-neap variations and wind-generated resuspension. During a period of low delta outflow, the model successfully reproduces field measurements of suspended sediment concentration at a station in San Pablo Bay. The model is found to be most sensitive to critical shear stresses, settling velocity, and the erosion rate constant.

Subject Headings: Sediment transport | Suspended sediment | Tides | Bays | Shear stress | Mathematical models | Settling velocity | California | United States

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