Predictions of Shoaling Rates for a New Harbor in Puget Sound, Washington

by John P. Downing, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,
Charles E. Sweeney, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,
Thomas C. Demlow, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,
Wim D. Eysink, Northern Technical Services Inc, Redmond, WA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

Physical and numerical modeling methods were used to predict shoaling rates in the proposed Naval Station Puget Sound, Washington. A simple analytical model (SILTHAR), based on the premise that shoaling in a tidal harbor depends on the volume of water exchanged per tidal cycle and the suspended sediment load of the exchanged water, was appropriate for the predictions. Dye tests in a physical model, with horizontal and vertical length scales of 1:500 and 1:100 respectively, indicated that the volumes of water exchanged per tidal cycle by eddy motion and with the tidal prism in the existing and the proposed harbors are 27 and 22 percent of the harbor volumes. The volume of water exchanged by density-driven circulation, however, is as much as 7. 8 times the volume exchanged be tidal action alone. Predicted shoaling rates in the proposed facility range from 2. 0 cm/yr in the inner harbor to a maximum rate of 10 cm/yr in the outer harbor.

Subject Headings: Ports and harbors | Tides | Shoals | Suspended sediment | Numerical models | Physical models | Mathematical models | Washington | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search