Numerical Simulation of Tidal Waves Variation in the North Branch of the Changjiang Estuary

Abstract

A 2D numerical model about the Changjiang Estuary was set up with MIKE 21 in this study, which was well calibrated and verified with the observed tidal levels, flow velocities and flow directions, the computed results agree well with the measured data. Then the model has been applied to calculate the tidal level in the North Branch during spring and neap tide in flood season. The results show that, from the middle reach to the upper reach of the North Branch, the high tidal level is lower and lower and the low tidal level is upper and upper, so the tidal range is decreased, and tidal range during spring is greater than the one during neap. The tidal peak appearing time in the upper reach of the North Branch lags behind that of the middle reach, which is obviously during neap tide. The tidal level curve of the middle reach of the North Branch is smooth and close to the simple harmonic curve, while that of the upper reach of the North Branch deformities, the tidal level curve of ebb tide change fluctuant, much more obviously at spring tide.