Tidal Residual currents and sediment transport through multiple tidal inlets

Abstract

' Tidal residual currents in a tidal channel connecting two water bodies having contrasting tides are most sensitive to the mean· sea-leve1 differehcesi less sensitive to the tidal amplitude differences, and 1east Sensitive to the tida1 phase differences between the two ends of the chartnei. On the other hand, tidal phase difference is the most important factor in generating M4 overtide in the channel, the tidal amplitude difference has intermediate impact on M4 generation, and the mean sea-level difference has little effect on M4 generation. Residual currents and M4 overtide are generated by different mechanisms. The fonner is related to the friction in the system, and the latter is related to the kinematic non-linearity in the system. The combined influence of the tidal phase, amplitude, and mean sea-level differences on the generation of tidal residual currents in a channel is complex and non-linear, and can be predicted properly only by non-linear numerical models. The sediment transport patterns in a tidal channel that connects two bodies of water having different tidal characteristics can be attributed to residual currents that is primarily caused by the mean sea-level difference, and to a minor degree, by the tidal amplitude and phase differences between the two ends of the channel. Multiple inlets at Chatham, Massachusetts, are used as a case study. Formation and Evolution of Multiple Tidal Inlets Coastal and Estuarine Studies, Volume 44, Pages 113-157 Copyrightl993 by the American Geophysical Union