A 2-D process-based model for suspended sediment dynamics: a first step towards ecological modeling

Achete, Fernanda Minikowski; Wegen, Mick van der; Roelvink, Dano; Jaffe, Bruce E.

doi:10.5194/hess-19-2837-2015

Cited by 27 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…During the wet season, the Sacramento River pulse increases SSC and exports sediment towards the Bay, affecting biota behavior McKee et al 2006McKee et al , 2013. On average, the Delta stores roughly two-thirds of the sediment input for both wet and dry years (Wright and Schoellhamer 2005;Marineau and Wright 2014;Achete et al 2015).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, we apply the model developed, calibrated, and validated by Achete et al (2015) to explore the impacts of disturbances such as pumping activities, levee breaching, and sea level rise. We present a detailed analysis for three representative water years (WYs).…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most important engineered channel is the Delta Cross Channel (DCC, Fig. 1), which is one of the three connections between the Sacramento River and the Central and South Delta (Achete et al 2015). Water diversions for agriculture and human use are done via a pumping station located in the South Delta.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Delft3D FM allows for straightforward coupling of its hydrodynamic modules with a water-quality model, Delft3D-WAQ (DELWAQ) (Achete et al 2015).…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The time step in Delft3D FM is calculated online based on a maximum Courant flow criterion of 0.7 being on average 15 s. The DELWAQ time step is 5 min. Both hydrodynamics and sediment calibration parameter settings were established previously by Achete et al (2015) and applied for all scenarios (http://www.d3d-baydelta.org).…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How can climate change and engineered water conveyance affect sediment dynamics in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system?

et al. 2017

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Suspended sediment concentration is an important estuarine health indicator. Estuarine ecosystems rely on the maintenance of habitat conditions, which are changing due to direct human impact and climate change. This study aims to evaluate the impact of climate change relative to engineering measures on estuarine fine sediment dynamics and sediment budgets. We use the highly engineered San Francisco Bay-Delta system as a case study. We apply a process-based modeling approach (Delft3D-FM) to assess the changes in hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics resulting from climate change and engineering scenarios. The scenarios consider a direct human impact (shift in water pumping location), climate change (sea level rise and suspended sediment concentration decrease), and abrupt disasters (island flooding, possibly as the results of an earthquake). Levee failure has the largest impact on the hydrodynamics of the system. Reduction in sediment input from the watershed has the greatest impact on turbidity levels, which are key to primary production and define habitat conditions for endemic species. Sea level rise leads to more sediment suspension and a net sediment export if little room for accommodation is left in the system due to continuous engineering works. Mitigation measures like levee reinforcement are effective for addressing direct human impacts, but less effective for a persistent, widespread, and increasing threat like sea level rise. Progressive adaptive mitigation measures to the changes in sediment and flow dynamics Climatic Change (2017) resulting from sea level rise may be a more effective strategy. Our approach shows that a validated process-based model is a useful tool to address long-term (decades to centuries) changes in sediment dynamics in highly engineered estuarine systems. In addition, our modeling approach provides a useful basis for long-term, process-based studies addressing ecosystem dynamics and health.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Delft3D FM allows for straightforward coupling of its hydrodynamic modules with a water-quality model, Delft3D-WAQ (DELWAQ) (Achete et al 2015).…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How can climate change and engineered water conveyance affect sediment dynamics in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system?

et al. 2017

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Tidal river dynamics: Implications for deltas

Hoitink

Jay

2016

Reviews of Geophysics

266

226

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Tidal rivers are a vital and little studied nexus between physical oceanography and hydrology.It is only in the last few decades that substantial research efforts have been focused on the interactions of river discharge with tidal waves and storm surges into regions beyond the limit of salinity intrusion, a realm that can extend inland hundreds of kilometers. One key phenomenon resulting from this interaction is the emergence of large fortnightly tides, which are forced long waves with amplitudes that may increase beyond the point where astronomical tides have become extinct. These can be larger than the linear tide itself at more landward locations, and they greatly influence tidal river water levels and wetland inundation. Exploration of the spectral redistribution and attenuation of tidal energy in rivers has led to new appreciation of a wide range of consequences for fluvial and coastal sedimentology, delta evolution, wetland conservation, and salinity intrusion under the influence of sea level rise and delta subsidence. Modern research aims at unifying traditional harmonic tidal analysis, nonparametric regression techniques, and the existing understanding of tidal hydrodynamics to better predict and model tidal river dynamics both in single-thread channels and in branching channel networks. In this context, this review summarizes results from field observations and modeling studies set in tidal river environments as diverse as the Amazon in Brazil, the Columbia, Fraser and Saint Lawrence in North America, the Yangtze and Pearl in China, and the Berau and Mahakam in Indonesia. A description of state-of-the-art methods for a comprehensive analysis of water levels, wave propagation, discharges, and inundation extent in tidal rivers is provided. Implications for lowland river deltas are also discussed in terms of sedimentary deposits, channel bifurcation, avulsion, and salinity intrusion, addressing contemporary research challenges.

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What Determines Water Temperature Dynamics in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta System?

Vroom

Wegen

Martyr-Koller

et al. 2017

Water Resources Research

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Water temperature is an important factor determining estuarine species habitat conditions. Water temperature is mainly governed by advection (e.g., from rivers) and atmospheric exchange processes varying strongly over time (day‐night, seasonally) and the spatial domain. On a long time scale, climate change will impact water temperature in estuarine systems due to changes in river flow regimes, air temperature, and sea level rise. To determine which factors govern estuarine water temperature and its sensitivity to changes in its forcing, we developed a process‐based numerical model (Delft3D Flexible Mesh) and applied it to a well‐monitored estuarine system (the San Francisco Estuary) for validation. The process‐based approach allows for detailed process description and a physics‐based analysis of governing processes. The model was calibrated for water year 2011 and incorporated 3‐D hydrodynamics, salinity intrusion, water temperature dynamics, and atmospheric coupling. Results show significant skill in reproducing temperature observations on daily, seasonal, and yearly time scales. In North San Francisco Bay, thermal stratification is present, enhanced by salinity stratification. The temperature of the upstream, fresh water Delta area is captured well in 2‐D mode, although locally—on a small scale—vertical processes (e.g., stratification) may be important. The impact of upstream river temperature and discharge and atmospheric forcing on water temperatures differs throughout the Delta, possibly depending on dispersion and residence times. Our modeling effort provides a sound basis for future modeling studies including climate change impact on water temperature and associated ecological modeling, e.g., clam and fish habitat and phytoplankton dynamics.

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A 2-D process-based model for suspended sediment dynamics: a first step towards ecological modeling

Cited by 27 publications

References 50 publications

How can climate change and engineered water conveyance affect sediment dynamics in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system?

How can climate change and engineered water conveyance affect sediment dynamics in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system?

Tidal river dynamics: Implications for deltas

What Determines Water Temperature Dynamics in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta System?

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