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Title: A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design

Abstract

Estuarine and coastal hydrodynamic processes are sometimes neglected in the design and planning of nearshore restoration actions. Despite best intentions, efforts to restore nearshore habitats can result in poor outcomes if circulation and transport which also affect freshwater-saltwater interactions are not properly addressed. Limitations due to current land use can lead to selection of sub-optimal restoration alternatives that may result in undesirable consequences, such as flooding, deterioration of water quality, and erosion, requiring immediate remedies and costly repairs. Uncertainty with achieving restoration goals, such as recovery of tidal exchange, supply of sediment and nutrients, and establishment of fish migration pathways, may be minimized by using numerical models designed for application to the nearshore environment. A high resolution circulation and transport model of the Puget Sound, in the state of Washington, was developed to assist with nearshore habitat restoration design and analysis, and to answer the question “can we achieve beneficial restoration outcomes at small local scale, as well as at a large estuary-wide scale?” The Puget Sound model is based on an unstructured grid framework to define the complex Puget Sound shoreline using a finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM). The capability of the model for simulating the important nearshoremore » processes, such as circulation in complex multiple tidal channels, wetting and drying of tide flats, and water quality and sediment transport as part of restoration feasibility, are illustrated through examples of restoration projects in Puget Sound.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1012854
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-70081
TRN: US1102379
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Ecological Restoration, 29(1-2):173-184
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 29; Journal Issue: 1-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; AVAILABILITY; DESIGN; DRYING; HABITAT; HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL; HYDRODYNAMICS; LAND USE; NUTRIENTS; PLANNING; PUGET SOUND; RESOLUTION; SEDIMENTS; TRANSPORT; WASHINGTON; WATER QUALITY; modeling, nearshore, habitat, restoration, hydrodynamics, water quality

Citation Formats

Khangaonkar, Tarang, and Yang, Zhaoqing. A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design. United States: N. p., 2011. Web. doi:10.3368/er.29.1-2.173.
Khangaonkar, Tarang, & Yang, Zhaoqing. A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design. United States. https://doi.org/10.3368/er.29.1-2.173
Khangaonkar, Tarang, and Yang, Zhaoqing. 2011. "A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design". United States. https://doi.org/10.3368/er.29.1-2.173.
@article{osti_1012854,
title = {A High Resolution Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound to Support Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Analysis and Design},
author = {Khangaonkar, Tarang and Yang, Zhaoqing},
abstractNote = {Estuarine and coastal hydrodynamic processes are sometimes neglected in the design and planning of nearshore restoration actions. Despite best intentions, efforts to restore nearshore habitats can result in poor outcomes if circulation and transport which also affect freshwater-saltwater interactions are not properly addressed. Limitations due to current land use can lead to selection of sub-optimal restoration alternatives that may result in undesirable consequences, such as flooding, deterioration of water quality, and erosion, requiring immediate remedies and costly repairs. Uncertainty with achieving restoration goals, such as recovery of tidal exchange, supply of sediment and nutrients, and establishment of fish migration pathways, may be minimized by using numerical models designed for application to the nearshore environment. A high resolution circulation and transport model of the Puget Sound, in the state of Washington, was developed to assist with nearshore habitat restoration design and analysis, and to answer the question “can we achieve beneficial restoration outcomes at small local scale, as well as at a large estuary-wide scale?” The Puget Sound model is based on an unstructured grid framework to define the complex Puget Sound shoreline using a finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM). The capability of the model for simulating the important nearshore processes, such as circulation in complex multiple tidal channels, wetting and drying of tide flats, and water quality and sediment transport as part of restoration feasibility, are illustrated through examples of restoration projects in Puget Sound.},
doi = {10.3368/er.29.1-2.173},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1012854}, journal = {Ecological Restoration, 29(1-2):173-184},
number = 1-2,
volume = 29,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}