Environmental Modeling of Coastal Wetlands

by Lisa C. Roig, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, United States,
Robert A. Evans, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Estuarine and Coastal Modeling

Abstract:

Several useful modeling techniques have been developed for the numerical solution of the vertically integrated Reynolds equations on unstructured grids in wetland environments. The objectives of this research are (1) to develop accurate and efficient techniques for simulating surface flows in tidal wetlands, (2) to demonstrate the application of a two-dimensional, vertically averaged hydrodynamic simulation model for flows in tidal wetlands, and (3) to initiate research that supports the development of sediment transport and water quality modeling tools for coastal wetlands. Useful modeling techniques that are described include gridding to contours, planning for logical shoreline advance and retreat, using a graphical grid editor, maintaining a contiguous solution domain, and planning for an adequate model spin-up period when specifying the initial conditions. The case studies described include the Saugus River Estuary in Massachusetts, the Galilee Bird Sanctuary in Rhode Island, and the Bodkin Island Restoration Plan in Maryland.

Subject Headings: Wetlands (coastal) | Water quality | Sediment transport | Tides | Ecological restoration | Two-dimensional models | Islands | United States | Massachusetts | Rhode Island | Maryland

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