Modeling the Effects of Large-scale Interior Headland Restoration on Tidal Hydrodynamics and Salinity Transport in an Open Coast, Marine-dominant Estuary: Model Input and Results

The effects of large-scale interior headland restoration on tidal hydrodynamics and salinity transport in the Grand Bay, Alabama (AL) estuary was assessed using a two-dimensional Discontinous-Galerkin Shallow Water Equations (DG-SWEM) model. Three restoration alternatives were simulated: 1) no action (herein referred to as na); 2) reconstruction of the Grand Batture Island (herein referred to as GBI); and 3) reconstruction of the Grand Batture Island, Marsh Island and Isle aux Dames (herein referred to as all). Each alternative was simulated for present-day conditions as well as under 0.5 meter (m) of sea level rise (SLR). The simulated tidal hydrodynamics (maximum water level and maximum velocity) and average salinity concentrations during frontal and tropical seasons for each scenario are provided here. For further information regarding model input generation and visualization of model output water level, velocity and salinity, refer to Passeri and others (2023).

Passeri, D.L., Jenkins III, R.L., Poisson, A., Bilskie, M.V., Bacopoulos, P., 2023, Modeling the effects of large-scale interior headland restoration on tidal hydrodynamics and salinity transport in an open coast, marine-dominant estuary: Frontiers in Marine Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1193462.