Simulation of currents in the coastal and offshore zone of the Old and New Patras Port (Western Greece)

Abstract

The currents that develop within the wider area of the New and Old Port of the City of Patras, located at the southeastern region of the Gulf of Patras, has been studied through three-dimensional numerical simulations. This area is shown to lie outside the breaking zone, so that the strength of the currents is dictated by the action mainly of the wind and, to a lesser degree, by the tide. Under the prevailing winds' forcing, the strength of the currents was found to be restricted in the upper well mixed layer, for the summer regime, and attain values greater but comparable to the corresponding winter currents. The bottom currents, however, were seen to dramatically decrease during the summer time, compared to the winter-time regime, because of the development of stratification. The numerically simulated values of the speed of the currents are corroborated by field data measured in the same region.