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Equations for designing tidally affected harbours and lagoons, and for calculating water exchange in coast‐connected lakes
Author(s) -
Essa Sawsan S.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
lakes and reservoirs: research and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.296
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1440-1770
pISSN - 1320-5331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1770.2004.00243.x
Subject(s) - harbour , tidal range , water quality , environmental science , range (aeronautics) , hydrology (agriculture) , flow (mathematics) , channel (broadcasting) , estuary , waves and shallow water , oceanography , geology , ecology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , mathematics , computer science , programming language , geometry , electrical engineering , aerospace engineering , biology
A three‐dimensional flow and transport model was used to simulate the flow of water and assumed conservative substance in a large number of hypothetical, sea‐connected lagoons and harbours experiencing tidal effects. The dimensions of the lagoons and harbours were selected to cover a wide range of widths, lengths, depths and entrance channel widths. The tidal flow in and out of each lagoon and harbour was simulated for durnal and semidurnal conditions for different tidal ranges. The water exchange for each lagoon and harbour was assessed on the basis of the exchange coefficient. The results of model runs and non‐linear multiple regression techniques were used to develop equations for calculating the average exchange, in terms of lagoon dimensions, depth and tidal range for durnal and semidurnal conditions. These equations can be used for a quick assessment of water exchange conditions in lagoons and harbours, upon which their water quality depends. In designing an artificial, sea‐connected lagoon and harbour, the developed equations can be used in the preliminary stages for testing options regarding the number and widths of entrances and the physical layout of the lagoon and harbour. This approach also allows for identification of unsuitable options, with the acceptable options being subjected to detailed mathematical modelling to assess their expected water exchange and water quality. The same approach can be applied to existing lagoons (natural or artificial) and harbours in designing layout modifications for improving water exchange and water quality conditions, as well as lakes directly connected to coastal waters and subject to tidal effects. The use of the equations presented in this report also can provide knowledge regarding the preferred water flushing conditions and/or improvements needed to enhance the water exchange in order to preserve the ecosystems in such water systems.