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San Francisco Bay and Delta Oil Spill Fate Studies Part I: Hydrodynamic Simulation

by Parmeshwar L. Shrestha, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,
Camilla M. Saviz, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,
Gerald T. Orlob, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,
Ian P. King, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,
Rodney J. Sobey, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,
R. Glenn Ford, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

A two-dimensional vertically-averaged finite element model was used to simulate the hydrodynamics in San Francisco Bay and Delta to support oil spill fate studies. Simulations were performed using an actual 20-day tidal cycle at Golden Gate which included sections representative of neap, mean, and spring tidal conditions; and three hydrologic conditions corresponding to critical, dry, and below normal years. These were considered characteristic of the most severe conditions likely to occur, contributing to worst case scenarios in case of an accidental oil spill. Hydrologic boundary conditions were represented by inflows, withdrawals, and Delta consumptive uses. Simulation results included spatial and temporal descriptions of velocities and water surface elevations for nodal locations in the finite element network. Network refinements were based on performing trial simulations and checking velocity vectors, Eulerian residual vectors and water surface elevations.

Subject Headings: Hazardous materials spills | Finite element method | Two-dimensional models | Hydrodynamics | Tides | Petroleum refining | Hydrology | California | United States

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