This report details the process of developing and validating a multidimensional hydrodynamic, salinity, sediment transport, and coastal wetland morphology model of the Lower Mississippi River Delta. This model has been developed to run various sediment diversion scenarios. The results of these scenario analyses are documented in this report.The morphologic modeling results for the diversion scenario analyses show net land gain in the near vicinity of the diversion outlets and net land loss farther away from the outlets. The areas of land gain roughly correspond with the zones of sand deposition whereas the areas of largest land loss correspond with areas where there is diversion-induced inundation but not significant deposition of sediment from the diversion. The modeling results indicate that diversion-induced inundation results in a reduction in plant productivity, which induces an acceleration of land loss.Significant uncertainty exists with respect to the response of the existing wetland vegetation to diversion-induced inundation. The magnitude of this uncertainty can only be narrowed with further consensus building within wetland science.With respect to salinity, the receiving waters tend to freshen significantly during diversion operations. However, when operations cease, the recovery of salinity is almost entirely determined by prevailing offshore and/or riverine conditions.
The Houston Ship Channel is one of the busiest deep-draft navigation channels in the United States and must be able to accommodate larger vessel dimensions over time. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston (SWG), requested the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, perform hydrodynamic and sediment modeling of proposed modifications along the Houston Ship Channel from its connection to the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of Houston. The modeling results are necessary to provide data for salinity and sediment transport analysis as well as ship simulation studies. SWG provided a project alternative that includes channel widening, deepening, and bend easing. The model is run for present year zero (2029) and future year 50 (2079) with and without project. The model shows that the salinity does not vary greatly with project. Changes to salinity are 2 parts per thousand or less. The tidal prism increases by less than 2% when the project is included, and the tidal amplitudes increase by no more than 0.01 meter. The residual velocity vectors do vary in and around areas where project modifications are made-along the Houston Ship Channel, Bayport Channel, and Barbours Cut Channel. The model also indicates an increase in the shoaling along the ship channel when compared to the without project results, the largest increases being in the Bayport channel and flare.
The Houston Ship Channel (HSC) is one of the busiest deep-draft navigation channels in the United States and must be able to accommodate increasing vessel sizes. The US Army Engineer District, Galveston (SWG), requested the Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, perform hydrodynamic and sediment modeling of proposed modifications in Galveston and Trinity Bays and along the HSC. The modeling results are necessary to provide data for hydrodynamic, salinity, and sediment transport analysis. SWG provided three project alternatives that include closing Rollover Pass, Bay Aquatic Beneficial Use System cells, Bird Islands, and HSC modifications. These alternatives and a Base (existing condition) will be simulated for present (2029) and future (2079) conditions. The results of these alternatives/conditions as compared to the Base are presented in this report. The model shows that the mean salinity varies by 2–3 ppt due to the HSC channel modifications and by approximately 5 ppt in the area of East Bay due to the closure of Rollover Pass. The tidal prism increases by 2.5% to 5% in the alternatives. The tidal amplitudes change by less than 0.01 m. The residual velocity vectors vary in and around areas where project modifications are made.
The Houston Ship Channel is one of the busiest deep -draft navigation channels in the United States and must be able to accommodate larger vessel dimensions over time. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston (SWG) requested the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory perform hydrodynamic and sediment modeling of proposed modifications along the Houston Ship Channel. The modeling results are necessary to provide data for salinity and sediment transport analysis a s well as ship simulation studies. SWG provided a project alternative that includes channel widening, deepening, and bend easing. After initial analysis, two additional channel widths in the bay portion of the Houston Ship Channel were requested for testing. The results of these additional channel widths are presented in this report. The model shows that the salinity does not vary significantly due to the channel modifications being considered for this project. Changes in salinity are 2 parts per thousand or less. The tidal prism increases by less than 2% when the project is included, and the tidal amplitudes increase by no more than 0.01 meter. The residual velocity vectors do vary in and around areas where project modifications are made.
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