Wave-current Interaction Research Articles

Numerical modelling of wave and tidal current interactions and their impact on wave parameters

In regions where both waves and tidal currents coexist, tidal flow can significantly alter wave parameters and hence affects the estimation of wave energy resources. This study uses a coupled wave-current numerical model to evaluate the influence of wave-current interactions on wave parameters. To achieve this, the simulation was performed in 3 stages. At first, a large-scale North Atlantic wave model was constructed using the spectral wave model TOMAWAC to generate wave conditions and boundary inputs. This wave model was calibrated and validated at four sites around the UK using field measurements. Secondly, a small-scale numerical model covering Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, Scotland, UK, was chosen, and tidal flow and current speeds were simulated by the three-dimensional flow model TELEMAC 3D. As with the wave model, the flow model was also calibrated and validated with site measurements from an ADCP; thus, both models were validated. In the third stage, a coupled TOMAWAC-TELEMAC 3D model was employed for the small-scale region, and the wave parameters generated by the large-scale model were input as boundary conditions. The TOMAWAC-TELEMAC 3D coupled model was validated with field measurements at two locations in Orkney Waters, where waves and currents coexist. Various wave and tidal currents parameters produced from the coupled model are presented in the paper. To evaluate the wave-current impact on wave parameters, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of these parameters is carried out, and the results are presented and discussed in the paper. The large-scale and small-scale numerical models developed in this study are useful tools for generating wave boundary conditions and wave energy resource assessment, helping researchers and engineers better understand the characteristics of wave-current interactions.

Coupled effects of wave and depth-dependent current interaction on loads on a bottom-fixed vertical slender cylinder

Coupled effects of wave and depth-dependent current interaction on loads on a bottom-fixed vertical slender cylinder

The dynamic response of floating offshore wind turbine platform in wave–current condition

In this paper, the fluid–structure interaction of floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platforms under complex ocean conditions is investigated using OpenFOAM and in-house developed models. Two types of FOWT platform, i.e., a semi-submersible platform and a barge platform, are studied for their dynamic responses to either wave or current. The results reveal that a semi-submersible platform exhibits larger cross-flow motion and lock-in phenomenon, while a barge platform experiences smaller motion with no significant lock-in within the velocity range examined. The combined wave–current conditions are further studied for the semi-submersible platform, with different angles between wave and current, the current speeds, and wave parameters. Unlike other investigations focusing on colinear wave–current interaction, in which the waves usually mitigate vortex-induced motion (VIM); here, we find that waves might lead to an enhanced VIM with a large angle between current and wave. The evaluation on the interaction effect factor shows that the largest wave height in the lock-in region does not lead to the most dangerous scenario, herein, the largest platform motion. Instead, a smaller wave height with a large wave period can induce even larger motion.

Numerical study on the impact of wave-current interaction on wave energy resource assessments in Zhoushan sea area, China

Based on MIKE21 SW, the wave-current coupled and uncoupled numerical models were established for Zhoushan sea area. Through analysis of four characteristic moments during spring tide, it can be seen that the influence of tidal level on wave parameters is greater than that of tidal current, but the differences of the annual average wave energy flux are mainly caused by tidal current. The effect of wave-current interaction will cause the wave energy redistribute near the peak of the wave spectrum, resulting in the wave energy near the peak flatted. The wave energy is transferred to low-frequency waves during the flood tide, while is transferred to high-frequency waves during the ebb tide. Through the research on the absorbed power of five wave energy converters in three target areas, it is seen that the effect of wave-current interaction will change the wave energy distribution, thus change the matching between the wave energy distribution interval and the optimal conversion interval of the wave energy converter. Finally, the difference trends of the five wave energy converters on the absorbed power calculated by the two models are obviously different from each other and are also different from the difference trends of their wave energy fluxes.

Theoretical analysis and numerical approximation for the stochastic thermal quasi-geostrophic model

This paper investigates the mathematical properties of a stochastic version of the balanced 2D thermal quasigeostrophic (TQG) model of potential vorticity dynamics. This stochastic TQG model is intended as a basis for parametrization of the dynamical creation of unresolved degrees of freedom in computational simulations of upper ocean dynamics when horizontal buoyancy gradients and bathymetry affect the dynamics, particularly at the submesoscale (250 m–10 km). Specifically, we have chosen the Stochastic Advection by Lie Transport (SALT) algorithm introduced in [D. D. Holm, Variational principles for stochastic fluid dynamics, Proc. Roy. Soc. A: Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 471 (2015) 20140963, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2014.0963 ] and applied in [C. Cotter, D. Crisan, D. Holm, W. Pan and I. Shevchenko, Modelling uncertainty using stochastic transport noise in a 2-layer quasi-geostrophic model, Found. Data Sci. 2 (2020) 173, https://doi.org/10.3934/fods.2020010 ; Numerically modeling stochastic lie transport in fluid dynamics, SIAM Multiscale Model. Simul. 17 (2019) 192–232, https://doi.org/10.1137/18M1167929 ] as our modeling approach. The SALT approach preserves the Kelvin circulation theorem and an infinite family of integral conservation laws for TQG. The goal of the SALT algorithm is to quantify the uncertainty in the process of up-scaling, or coarse-graining of either observed or synthetic data at fine scales, for use in computational simulations at coarser scales. The present work provides a rigorous mathematical analysis of the solution properties of the thermal quasigeostrophic (TQG) equations with SALT [D. D. Holm and E. Luesink, Stochastic wave-current interaction in thermal shallow water dynamics, J. Nonlinear Sci. 31 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1007/s00332-021-09682-9 ; D. D. Holm, E. Luesink and W. Pan, Stochastic mesoscale circulation dynamics in the thermal ocean, Phys. Fluids 33 (2021) 046603, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0040026 ].

An experimental study to investigate the effect of pitch angle and wave characteristics on the performance of a horizontal axis tidal turbine

This study investigates the performance characteristics of a scaled-down three-bladed tidal turbine in a towing tank. The effects of pitch angle, electrical load, wave characteristics, and current velocity on turbine performance are examined. The experimental model, a 1:6 scale horizontal-axis tidal turbine with a rotor diameter of 1.15 m, is tested in the Strait of Khoran in Iran, selected based on tidal potential evaluation. After calibration and uncertainty analysis, experimental tests are conducted using the Taguchi method to optimize parameters and explore turbine performance in different conditions: current-only and wave-current interactions. Results demonstrate the direct relationship between power, momentum, thrust, rotor speed, and current velocity. Notably, power and momentum coefficients exhibit nonlinear (polynomial) variations at different tip speed ratios (TSRs). The presence of waves consistently enhances turbine performance compared to the no-wave mode, albeit with a lesser impact than other variable parameters. A pitch angle of 18.77° in the presence of waves yields a significant increase of up to 31.1% in power coefficient and up to 23.6% in momentum coefficient, compared to the no-wave mode. The optimal blade angle generally falls within the range of 30–35 mm, with 35 mm (18.77°) and 30 mm (22.72°) as the respective optimum pitch angles for wave-current interaction and the no-wave state. Optimal electrical load is achieved by setting Rheostat equal to 20 Ω, resulting in a remarkable 11% to 40% increase in system efficiency. In the upstream flow, the maximum power and momentum coefficients are observed as 0.219 and 0.033, respectively, at a TSR of 6.62 in the presence of waves with a dimensionless wave number of 3.43. Similarly, in the no-wave mode, the optimal power and momentum coefficients are obtained as 0.205 and 0.0286, respectively, at a TSR of 7.18. These findings highlight the significance of waves with a dimensionless wave number of 3.43.

Effect of d-type rib roughness on the turbulent structure of side wall boundary layer for wave-current combined flow

An experimental study has been carried out in a laboratory flume to characterize the turbulence structure and turbulence anisotropy in the boundary layer over smooth and rough side walls for both current alone and wave-current combined flow situations. The rough side wall of the flume comprises a train of circular ribs (diameter, k) attached vertically maintaining uniform spacing p along the streamwise direction. The experiments are performed for smooth surface and rough (ribbed) surfaces with p/k = 2, 3, and 4 to reproduce different cases of d-type rib roughness. The effect of wave-current interaction has been investigated by superposing waves of two different frequencies. Time series data of three velocity components are obtained using Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter. At the near wall region, roughness with higher p/k value enhances the level of turbulent intensity and Reynolds stress significantly. In a channel with smooth side wall, the wave-current combined flow produces lesser turbulence intensity than the current alone flow near the wall. However, for a ribbed wall case, the effect is completely opposite that is, wave-current interacting flow induces higher intensities compared to the reference current alone flow. Substantial decline in the turbulent length scales at the near wall region are observed for ribbed walls, which reveals the strong effect of roughness elements on the turbulent structure. Superposition of wave reduces the length scales even more for both smooth and rough wall cases. As the spacing between two ribs ( p/ k ratio) increases, the energy dissipation rate increases. The analysis of anisotropy invariant map demonstrates a reduction of anisotropy in the vicinity of ribbed wall compared to that for a smooth wall. For wave-current combined flow, the anisotropy invariant data of Reynolds stress tensor varies dramatically within the boundary of map, reflecting significant changes in the state of turbulence.

The hydrodynamic characteristics of autonomous underwater vehicles in rotating flow fields

In this article, the hydrodynamic characteristics of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are investigated and analyzed under the influence of rotating flow fields, which were generated in a recirculating water tank via a rotating propeller. Initially, experiments were carried out to measure flow field variables and quantities of Interest across the AUV in the presence of the rotating propeller while varying the rotational speed and the extent of rotational flow strength. The flow field across the AUV was measured using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). These measured turbulent flow statistics were used to validate the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) based numerical predictions in a commercial CFD solver. After preliminary validation of the turbulent flow statistics with the numerical predictions, a series of numerical simulations were performed to investigate the effect of the rotational flow field of the propeller on the drag, skin friction, and pressure coefficients of the AUV. The operating speed and location of the propeller were also varied to check their effects on the hydrodynamic performance of the AUV. The results provided in this article will be useful for the design optimization of AUVs cruising in shallow water where the flow is highly rotational because of wave-current interactions. Additionally, the results and analysis are relevant to study the design and operation of AUVs that have to operate in a group of unmanned underwater vehicles or near submarines and ships where the flow field is highly complex and such rotational effects are present.

Effects of the current-wave interaction on a cylinder platform

ABSTRACT This article investigates the motion responses of floating production storage and offloading systems (FPSO) under wave-current interactions. Experiments were conducted on a cylindrical FPSO in a wave-current combined wave basin. Two methods were employed to compare the effects of currents: applying an equivalent force to a specific location in the platform and generating real currents in the basin. The primary objective of this study is to explore the sensitivity characteristics of the platform's dynamic response in the presence of wave-current coupling. The findings reveal significant phase shifts in the low-frequency motions of the sway and pitch responses due to the interaction between waves and currents. Moreover, the six degree-of-freedom motions of the platform experience amplified overall energies in both low-frequency and wave-frequency motions. A notable observation is that wave-current interaction leads to a considerable increase in surge motion amplitude, even when the reduced velocities are smaller than the lock-in region.

The Met Office operational wave forecasting system: the evolution of the regional and global models

Abstract. The Met Office operational wave forecasting modelling system runs four times a day to provide global and regional forecasts up to 7 d ahead. The underpinning model uses a recent development branch of the third-generation spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III® (version 7.12) that includes several updates developed at the Met Office. These include the spherical multiple-cell (SMC) grid, a rotated pole grid formulation for mid-latitudes, enhancements to OASIS coupling and updates to the netCDF postprocessing. Here we document the technical details behind the system with a view to further developments. The operational system includes a global forecast deterministic model (GS512L4EUK) and two regional models nested one-way covering the Northwest (NW) European shelf and UK waters (AMM15SL2, where AMM is for Atlantic Margin model) in addition to an Atlantic wave ensemble (AS512L4EUK). GS512L4EUK and AS512L4EUK are based on a multi-resolution four-tier SMC 25-12-6-3 km grid. The regional AMM15SL2 configuration uses a two-tier SMC 3−1.5 km grid and is run operationally both as a standalone forced model (includes wave–current interactions) and as the wave component of a two-way ocean–wave coupled operational system. Model evaluation is focused on the global and regional baseline configurations. Results show evidence of resolution-dependent differences in wave growth, leading to slightly overestimated significant wave heights in coastal mid-range conditions by AMM15SL2 but an improved representation of extremes compared to GS512L4EUK. Additionally, although a positive impact of the surface currents is not always shown in the overall statistics of the significant wave height due to a larger spread in the observation–model differences, wave–current effects help to better capture the distribution of the energy in terms of frequency and direction near the coast (>20 % improvement), which has implications to beach safety, coastal overtopping risk and shoreline evolution. Future system developments such as the use of sea point wind forcing, the optimisation of the models in line with model resolution and the utilisation of SMC multi-grids are discussed.

On the impact of waves and turbulence on the power fluctuations and wake structure of a tidal-stream turbine

Anticipating the power output of tidal-stream turbines (TSTs) is relevant for its technological advance and success. Therefore, it is important to clarify the behavior of TSTs under tidal-stream environments, which include both waves and currents. In this study, a scale-model horizontal-axis TST was examined in turbulent conditions and in the presence of waves. The impact of waves on the wake structure and output power fluctuations were analyzed in terms of integral length scales, the turbine's power statistics, and spectral density. Due to wave–current interactions, the distribution of integral length scales is asymmetric at downstream positions behind the rotor's lateral tips. The fluctuations of the wave speed in the wake lead to a homogenized but reduced length scale. In the spectral domain, waves mix with the turbulent cascade, effectively reducing the energy decay from f 0 to f−1 in the low-frequency region and from f−5/3 to f−11/3 in the intermediate-decay region. The bandwidth of the mechanical noise in the high-frequency range, along with the periodic components, intensifies with increasing wave height and length. Although they are preliminary, these findings will prove useful for understanding the disruption of turbine flow and power output in wave–current flows. This is a first step toward assessing the damage caused to ecology and the structural parts of TSTs in real-world conditions.

Coupled coastal monitoring framework for the analysis of beach stability and nearshore hydrodynamics of a structure influenced medium energy coast in India

This study presents a Coupled Coastal Monitoring Framework (CCMF) that integrates remote sensing (CoastSat), video beach monitoring system (VBMS), and numerical modelling to analyse the morphology and hydrodynamics of a structure-influenced beach. A 10.2 km stretch of straight beach with an artificial breakwater along the Kozhikode coast of Kerala, India, is selected for the study. The shoreline change analysis revealed that 38% of the total coast is under erosion, with the northern sector of the breakwater being highly erosive and the southern sector being stable. Continuous monitoring from the VBMS confirmed the stability of the southern sector with varying erosion accretion trends during 2018–21. Coastal morphological features such as double bars, cusps, and rip-like formations were identified through the VBMS, validated and analysed in detail with distinct wave-current interactions and sediment transport through numerical modelling. The study concludes that the breakwater is effectively protecting the beach adjacent to the south but has disturbed longshore transport, potentially leading to increased erosion to the north. The proposed CCMF provides real-time and post-performance monitoring of structure-influenced beaches, enabling timely decision-making at critical locations and appropriate remedial measures for efficient coastal management.

Direct Simulation of the Surface Manifestation of Internal Gravity Waves with a Wave–Current Interaction Model

Abstract Internal solitary waves in the ocean are characterized by the surface roughness signature of smooth and rough bands that are observable in synthetic aperture radar satellite imagery, which is caused by the interaction between surface gravity waves and internal wave–induced surface currents. In this work, we study the surface signature of an internal wave packet in deep water over a large range of spatial scales using an improved wave–current interaction model that supports a moving surface current corresponding to a propagating internal gravity wave. After validating the model by comparison to previously published numerical results by Hao and Shen, we investigate a realistic case based on a recent comprehensive field campaign conducted by Lenain and Pizzo. Distinct surface manifestation caused by internal waves can be directly observed from the surface waves and the associated surface wave steepness. Consistent with observations, the surface is relatively rough where the internal wave–induced surface current is convergent (∂U/∂x < 0), while it is relatively smooth where the surface current is divergent (∂U/∂x > 0). The spatial modulation of the surface wave spectrum is rapid as a function of along-propagation distance, showing a remarkable redistribution of energy under the influence of the propagating internal wave packet. The directional wavenumber spectra computed in the smooth and rough regions show that the directional properties of the surface wave spectra are also rapidly modulated through strong wave–current interactions. Good agreement is found between the model results and the field observations, demonstrating the robustness of the present model in studying the impact of internal waves on surface gravity waves. Significance Statement The purpose of this study is to better understand the physical processes leading to the bands of rough and smooth surface waves arising from internal gravity waves. The surface manifestation of internal gravity waves allows them to be measured remotely via surface imagery, which can provide insight into their nonlinear behavior and sources and fate and which can ultimately inform the local stratification for assimilation into larger-scale models. Our results highlight the application of wave–current interaction models to the study of the interaction of surface waves with internal gravity waves and indicate strong modulation of the surface wave spectra over relatively short time scales despite the long time scales associated with the internal wave propagation.

Benchmarking a two-way coupled coastal wave–current hydrodynamics model

Wave–current interaction phenomena are often represented through coupled model frameworks in ocean modelling. However, benchmarking of these models is scarce, revealing a substantial research challenge. We seek to address this through a selection of cases for coupled wave–current interaction modelling. This comprises a series of analytical and experimental test cases spanning three diverse conditions of wave run-up, one scenario of waves opposing a current flow, and a 2-D arrangement of waves propagating over a submerged bar. We simulate these through coupling the spectral wave model, Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN), with the coastal hydrodynamics shallow-water equation model, Thetis, using the Basic Model Interface (BMI) structure. By comparing calibrated versus default parameter settings we identify and highlight calibration uncertainties that emerge across a range of potential applications. Calibrated model results exhibit good correlation against experimental and analytical data, alongside benchmarked wave–current model predictions, where available. Specifically, inter-model comparisons show equivalent accuracy. Finally, the coupled model we developed as part of this work showcases its ability to account for wave–current effects, in a manner extensible to other coupled processes through BMI and applicable to more complex geometries.

On wave–current interaction in deep and finite water depths

Interaction of linear and nonlinear, long-crested waves with currents in deep and finite water depths is studied by use of the computational fluid dynamics approach. Various wave conditions are considered by systematically changing the wave height and the wavelength. Several current profiles are studied as polynomial functions of water depth following the profiles and magnitudes of the available ocean current data. Both following and opposing currents are considered, and in total, 26 wave–current configurations are investigated. The two-dimensional study is carried out computationally by solving the Navier–Stokes equations for a laminar flow. The governing equations are solved by use of the finite volume approach in an open-source computational fluid dynamics package, namely OpenFOAM. Modifications are made to an existing wave-making toolbox, waves2Foam, to generate combined nonlinear waves and currents in deep and finite waters. Results of the numerical wave–current tank are compared with the existing laboratory measurements and overall very good agreement is observed. Discussion is provided on the effect of these currents on the change of the wave field, including quantitative change of the surface elevation, wave profile, pressure distribution, and fluid particle velocity of waves. Overall, it is observed that opposing current has a remarkable impact on the wave field, and the particle velocity and wave height are affected the most from the presence of the current.

Interactions between Surface Waves, Tides, and Storm-Induced Currents over Shelf Waters of the Northwest Atlantic

A coupled wave–tide–circulation model is used to investigate wave–current interactions (WCIs) over the shelf waters of the Northwest Atlantic (NWA) during Hurricane Earl (2010). WCIs have substantial impacts on hydrodynamics in the upper ocean. The significant wave heights are modulated by WCIs, particularly over regions with strong current gradients, with a reduction up to ~2.1 m (20%) during the storm. Noticeable decreases in surface elevations and tidal currents occur in regions with strong tides such as the Gulf of Maine, mainly due to the wave-enhanced bottom stress. Over regions with weak tidal currents, wave effects on currents are dominated by two competitive processes between wave-induced forces and wave-enhanced mixing. The former strengthens surface currents (up to ~0.55 m/s) and increases the peak storm surge (up to ~0.48 m). The latter is responsible for the reduction in storm-induced surface currents (up to ~0.94 m/s) and anticyclonic modulation of current directions. Vertically, WCIs extend the strong vertical current shear and shift it downward during the storm, which enhances the local mixing and changes the structures of near-inertial oscillations (NIOs). Moreover, tidal currents also change the magnitudes of the NIOs and subtidal currents and affect the intensity of WCIs.

Wave–Tide Interaction for a Strongly Modulated Wave Field

Abstract Observations from Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) moored buoys off the coast of Florida reveal tidally driven wave–current interactions that modify significant wave heights by up to 25% and shift peak periods by up to a second. A case study at Fernandina Beach, Florida, shows surface waves steepening on following tidal currents and becoming less steep on opposing tidal currents, with the largest modulations occurring in the long-period swell band. To better understand tidal modulations as a function of the phase of the tide, we use simplified analytical and numerical solutions to the equations of geometrical optics and conservation of wave action under the assumption of a one-dimensional tide acting as a progressive shallow-water wave. The theoretical frameworks allow us to identify parameters that characterize the magnitude of variation in surface waves due to tidally induced currents and changes in water depth. We compute modulations to the omnidirectional and directional wave spectrum (between 0.05 and 0.15 Hz), as well as characteristic bulk parameters such as significant wave height and peak period. The theory is corroborated using directional wave and surface current observations from the Fernandina Beach CDIP station (located in water of average depth of 16 m). We find that the numerical results reproduce the observed wave modulations due to tidal currents and changes in water depth. Specifically, surface waves traveling in the direction of the tide are strongly modulated, and the relative speeds between the tide and surface waves set the sign and magnitude of these modulations. Given knowledge of tidal currents, water-depth variations, and wave climatology, theoretical and numerical predictions may be used to provide both statistical and instantaneous estimates of wave-height variations due to tides. Because operational forecasts and nowcasts do not routinely include tides or currents, these findings can help to accurately represent nearshore surface wave variability.

Influence of Wave–Current Interaction on a Cyclone-Induced Storm Surge Event in the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta: Part 1—Effects on Water Level

The Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta (GBMD) located in the head of the Bay of Bengal is regularly affected by severe tropical cyclones frequently. The GBMD covers the Bangladesh coast, which is one of the most vulnerable areas in the world due to cyclone-induced storm surges. More than 30% of the total country’s population lives on the Bangladesh coast. Hence, it is crucial to understand the underlying processes that modulate the storm surge height in the GBMD. A barotropic numerical 3D model setup is established by using Delft3D and SWAN to investigate a cyclone-induced storm surge event. The model is calibrated and validated for Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and applied to six idealized cyclonic scenarios. Numerical experiments with different coupling configurations are performed to distinguish the contribution of wind, tides, waves, and wave–current interactions (WCI) on the storm surge height. Results show that the wind-driven setup is the dominant contributor to the storm surge height during cyclonic events. Based on the tidal phase and wind direction, the interaction between tide and wind can increase or decrease the magnitude of the storm surge height. Finally, considering the wind-driven wave may increase the surge height up to 0.3 m along the coastline through a strong wave setup.

Influence of Wave–Current Interaction on a Cyclone-Induced Storm-Surge Event in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta: Part 2—Effects on Wave

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, located in the southern part of Bangladesh, is periodically exposed to severe tropical cyclones. It is estimated that two-fifths of the world’s total impact from tropical-cyclone-induced storm surges occur in this region, and these cause fatalities and economic losses every year. A barotropic numerical 3D model is used to investigate wave dynamics during a cyclone-induced storm-surge event. The model is calibrated and validated for Cyclone Sidr (2007) and applied to ten idealized cyclonic scenarios. Numerical experiments with different coupling configurations are performed to understand wave–current interactions on significant wave heights. Results show that the water level is the dominant factor in significant wave height modulation when the wave propagates into shallower regions from the deeper ocean, whereas the current modulates the deep ocean wave height. The WCI causes higher significant wave heights in shallower waters close to the coast compared with the deep ocean. Wave energy dissipation related to whitecapping processes plays a greater role in reducing the wave height nearshore than the dissipation due to depth-induced breaking and bottom friction in the GBMD during a cyclone-induced storm-surge event.

Comparative Study on Numerical Simulation of Wave-Current Nonlinear Interaction Based on Improved Mass Source Function

In coastal waters, wave propagation is often affected by rivers and tides. The wave current interaction increases the complexity of the wave propagation. In this study, we consider the Boussinesq type equation with an improved dispersion term as the governing equation and establish a numerical model of wave propagation in the coexistence of wave current environment. Firstly, we use the MIKE 21 BW model to simulate the propagation of dual-frequency waves. The Navier–Stokes equation wave model is used to verify the results and the Fourier transform is used to analyze and discuss the dual-frequency waves. Our findings show that the numerical model established by the Boussinesq equation can better describe the nonlinear interaction between waves more accurately at a much higher computational efficiency compared with the Navier–Stokes equation wave model. In addition, we set the constant current source point in the wave numerical model and conduct the numerical simulation of waves in the current environment, by improving the mass source wave generation method. The numerical simulation of wave-current interactions between uniform and variable water depths is performed, thus demonstrating its capability to describe accurately the influence of water flow on wave propagation.