A Mathematical Model Predicting Tidal Current Velocities in the Strait of Georgia – Juan de Fuca Strait System

Abstract

A one-dimensional model for calculating the time variation of tidal current velocities throughout the Strait of Georgia – Juan de Fuca Strait system is described. It is intended to use the calculated velocity field as input to a particle transport model predicting the motion of foreign material released in the tidal stream. The velocity calculations are based on the detailed channel dimensions and on observed tidal heights at a number of stations in the system. Only the hydrodynamic equation of continuity is used, which avoids the necessity of using arbitrarily adjusted roughness coefficients. As a single boundary condition it is assumed that there is a constant zero velocity at the head of the channel, where the volume flow rate is small compared to other parts of the system. The calculated velocity field compares well with the limited number of observations that have been made.