Real time ADCP current measurement system for the New York harbor area

Abstract

Real time current measurement systems using acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) were deployed for one year beginning in November 1994 at three locations in the New York Harbor area. The systems were part of a field data collection program supporting hydrodynamic and water quality modeling of the New York Harbor and Bight areas. The purpose of the modeling effort is to assess water quality changes created by proposed upgrades to New York City wastewater treatment plants. The measurements collected were used for input and verification of a system-wide circulation and eutrophication model. The current measurement systems are similar to those used by National Ocean Survey (NOS) for the Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) program in Florida. The shape of the ADCP mount was retained to ensure stability and minimize the potential for disruption by fishing or other activities. However, the composition of the materials were changed to reduce the overall weight by several thousand pounds. The ADCPs were cabled directly to a computer at a nearby shore facility which enabled downloading of the data via modem from Evans-Hamilton's Inc.'s (EHI) Seattle office. Data were also stored within the ADCPs to ensure against data loss should disruption of the data transmission to shore occur. This data measurement system resulted in minimal data loss, allowing problems noted in the data or meters via the direct telephone link to be detected and rectified quickly.