Hydrodynamics
The hydrodynamics module refers to the simulation of water movement & salinity dynamics.
CLEAR’s objectives with hydrodynamics are 1) to model the hydrologic & salinity regime changes that various diversions would cause relative to a base condition; 2) to provide indicators of the relative impact of the various diversion options on the water quality of the study area; & 3) to critically use the model results to assist in the preparation of habitat impacts on selected sub-regions of the study area.
The ability to assess the hydrologic effects of various restoration alternatives is imperative for any restoration program. Considering the level of hydrologic modification in coastal Louisiana, the development & use of multiple hydrodynamic models is critical to our understanding of not only the current situation, but also to the possible alterations that could occur with restoration projects.
The CLEAR Program has helped coordinate the application of the following numerical models to assess hydrodynamics of coastal Lousiana: POM, TABS, CELSS, MIK 11, TELEMAC, H3D, CLEAR coupled hydrodynamic / transport model, box models, & FVCOM. For information on any of these models, access the reports listed below.
The CLEAR Office staff helps gather & prepare data from monitoring stations for modelers to use as input & validation. The image below shows a number of monitoring stations that are used as input & for validation of the CLEAR 2-D coupled hydrodynamic & transport model (Dr. Vibhas Aravamuthan). This particular model can run 50-year simulations at monthly time-steps across the entire coast of Louisiana.
The image below is an example of salinity output from the CLEAR coastwide hydrodynamic model. The salinity color scale in parts per thousand (ppt) follows: white (no inundation); dark brown (0-2); orange (2-6); yellow (6-15); light blue (15-25); & dark blue (>25). This particular output snapshop represents the salinity values in April of an 'average' freshwater inflow year (i.e., average local rainfall & average river discharge). To view or download additional salinity maps & animations, visit the CLEAR MapServer.
For more information on Hydrodynamics, view these publications:
Assessment of Integrated Hydrodynamic & Transport for Long-term Predictions: FVCOM & Water Quality Modeling of the Pontchartrain Estuary
Response of Salinity in Barataria Basin to Alternative 3 Freshwater Diversions
A Two Dimensional Vertically Integrated Hydrodynamic & Transport Model for Long Time Scale Simulations
Numerical Modeling & Water Budget Analysis of the Louisiana Chenier Plain
Box Model / Water Quality Development
Hydrodynamic Hydrodynamic & Sediment Modeling of the Lower Mississippi
Box Model / Water Quality Development
Three Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling of Barataria Estuary
River Model Development
A coupled parallel two dimensional hydrodynamic, & transport model for long time scale coast wide modeling
Effects of River Diversion Projects Using a Pulsing Scenario of Proposed Alternatives Based on Both Simulation & Box Modeling Approaches
Hydrodynamic Models of Subprovince 1 (Pontchartrain Estuary)
Hydrodynamic Models of Subprovince 2 (Barataria Basin)
Hydrodynamic Models of Subprovince 3 (Acadiana Bays)
Hydrodynamic Models of Subprovince 4 (Calcasieu-Sabine Basin)