Development and Calibration of a Fine-Grained Sediment Transport Model for the Buffalo River

Abstract

A numerical model of the transport and fate of sediments in the Buffalo River (New York) was developed. The model framework consists of two-dimensional, vertically-integrated, time-dependent hydrodynamic and transport sub-models coupled with a three-dimensional, time-dependent sub-model of the sediment bed and its properties. The three-dimensional sediment bed model was necessary to accurately model bed properties that vary both spatially and temporally. Sediment settling speeds, resuspension parameters, and bed properties required by the model were directly measured or estimated from laboratory and field tests. Measured flow rates and suspended solids concentrations were used to estimate model loads. Numerical simulations of the Buffalo River were conducted to predict sediment transport over five time periods varying from three to six months in duration. Predicted sediment deposition and erosion patterns were compared to field measurements taken at seven transects across the river at the beginning and end of each time period simulated. The model successfully predicted sediment transport for the range of environmental conditions observed during the study period. An accurate sediment transport model is an important tool in, for instance, evaluating the remediation of in-place pollutants.