Issues related to modeling the transport of suspended sediments in Northern San Francisco Bay, California

Measurements of suspended sediment concentrations at several deep-channel stations in San Francisco Bay are reviewed. Sediment concentrations are found to be strongly correlated with delta outflow, tidal, and spring/neap variations. However, little to no correlation is observed between wind speed and sediment concentration in the deep channel. A two-dimensional depth-averaged sediment transport model has been developed which includes the effects of tidal and spring-neap variations and wind-generated resuspension. During a period of low delta outflow, the model successfully reproduces field measurements of suspended sediment concentration at a station in San Pablo Bay. The model is found to be most sensitive to critical shear stresses, settling velocity, and the erosion rate constant.