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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/26595| Title: | Impact of relocation of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway on circulation and salinity in Matagorda Bay System, Texas |
| Authors: | Vemulakonda, S. Rao. |
| Keywords: | Salinity--Texas--Matagorda Bay Hydrodynamics--Texas--Matagorda Bay Gulf Intracoastal Waterway--Relocation |
| Publisher: | Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC/CHL TR-01-16 |
| Abstract: | The U.S. Anny Engineer District, Galveston, has proposed relocating the Gulfintracoastal Waterway (GIWW) north of its present intersection with the Matagorda Ship Channel (MSC), TX, to improve navigation and reduce shoaling in the reach of the GIWW next to the MSC. In this connection, a two-dimensional, numerical hydrodynamic and salinity study was conducted to estimate the impacts of the relocation on circulation and salinity in the Matagorda Bay System. For this purpose, a previously verified Matagorda Bay model of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) was acquired. The model used the TxBLEND code of the Texas Water Development Board. The LCRA mesh was modified in the vicinity of the GIWW and model results for surface elevation, discharge, and currents were compared with field data acquired in 1997. There was reasonable agreement. Model simulations were next conducted for existing and plan conditions of the GIWW corresponding to six different flow scenarios and results were compared. Monthly-averaged.MSC currents at the new intersection are approximately 20 percent lower, and circulation impacts are small and localized. Salinity impacts are generally small and within 0.4 ppt, except for Lavaca Bay where monthly-averaged salinity is reduced on the order of 0.9 to 1.4 ppt in some months. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | ERDC/CHL TR-01-16 |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/26595 |
| Size: | 91 pages |
| Types of Materials: | PDF/A |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC-CHL TR-01-16.pdf | 10.49 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |