Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/11681/22732| Title: | Surf observations and longshore current prediction |
| Authors: | Balsillie, James H. |
| Keywords: | Ocean currents--California--Point Mugu Ocean waves Sediment transport--California--Point Mugu |
| Publisher: | Coastal Engineering Research Center (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical memorandum;no. 58 |
| Abstract: | Abstract: Simultaneous field observations of breaker and current behavior have been made using techniques of the Littoral Environment Observation (LEO) program. This program, developed at CERC, is used to collect data on beach and surf conditions. The data base for this report represents a concentrated data collection effort over a period of 1 year at three beach sites at Point Mugu, California. Longshore current behavior is investigated in two ways: (a) observed; and (b) predicted, using LEO data. Observed longshore currents are represented by the behavior of dye injected into the surf between the shoreline and breakers. Predicted longshore currents, based on the observation that longshore currents are generated primarily by waves, are estimated using a relationship for the average longshore current across the surf. The prediction model relies upon consideration of the radiation stress or wave thrust on water inside the breakers, and is evaluated using LEO breaker heights, angles of wave approach at breaking, and estimated widths of the surf zone. The degree of similarity between observed and predicted longshore currents is significantly high. This similarity not only suggests that the relationship for prediction of longshore currents is reasonable in field situations, but that there is a surprising degree of internal consistency within typical LEO data sets. |
| Description: | Technical Memorandum |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/22732 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Memorandum |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CERC Technical Memorandum No 58.pdf | 2.21 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |