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Modeling tidal hydrodynamics of San Diego Bay, California

January 1, 1998

In 1983, current data were collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using mechanical current meters. During 1992 through 1996, acoustic Doppler current profilers as well as mechanical current meters and tide gauges were used. These measurements not only document tides and tidal currents in San Diego Bay, but also provide independent data sets for model calibration and verification. A high resolution (100-m grid), depth-averaged, numerical hydrodynamic model has been implemented for San Diego Bay to describe essential tidal hydrodynamic processes in the bay. The model is calibrated using the 1983 data set and verified using the more recent 1992-1996 data. Discrepancies between model predictions and field data in beth model calibration and verification are on the order of the magnitude of uncertainties in the field data. The calibrated and verified numerical model has been used to quantify residence time and dilution and flushing of contaminant effluent into San Diego Bay. Furthermore, the numerical model has become an important research tool in ongoing hydrodynamic and water quality studies and in guiding future field data collection programs.

Publication Year 1998
Title Modeling tidal hydrodynamics of San Diego Bay, California
DOI 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1998.tb04159.x
Authors P.-F. Wang, R. T. Cheng, K. Richter, E.S. Gross, D. Sutton, J. W. Gartner
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Index ID 70020079
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization San Francisco Bay-Delta; Toxic Substances Hydrology Program; Pacific Regional Director's Office