Numerical modeling of wave overtopping of Buffalo Harbor Confined Disposal Facility (CDF4)

Abstract

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Design water levels and waves for repairs of Buffalo Harbor North and South Breakwaters and LaSalle Park Seawall, Buffalo, New York

“…Estimates of waves, wave overtopping, water levels, and currents were developed in a recent wave and hydrodynamic modeling study for potential repairs of the CDF4 protection structures (Demirbilek et al 2017). The combination of BOUSS-2D and CMS-Wave models was used to develop these estimates.…”

“…Appendices A and B provide additional information about each wave model, their features, and example applications. (More detailed information about each model is available in the following references: Demirbilek et al 2017Demirbilek et al , 2016aDemirbilek et al ,b, 2015aDemirbilek and Rosati 2011;Lin et al 2011a,b. ) 1.1.4 Environmental conditions at the study site…”

“…All structures located in BH, including the NB, SB, and LP seawall, are affected by wind waves generated in Lake Erie. These waves are also the primary source of wave overtopping at the CDF4 system (Demirbilek et al 2017). Lake Erie, approximately 388 km (241 miles) long, 92 km (57 miles) wide, and on average 19 m (62 ft) deep, is the eleventh largest lake in the world.…”

“…For consistency with the CDF4 study, the same water level, wind, and wave conditions were used in the present study. Demirbilek et al (2017) describe details of the environmental conditions in the previous CDF4 study, and therefore only a brief description of climate is included in this report.…”

“…Two types of wave models (BOUSS-2D, and CMS-Wave) were used to develop estimates of waves and hydrodynamics for repair of the SB, NB, and LP structures. To develop these estimates inside the harbor required a regional-scale transformation of design incident waves in Lake Erie (Demirbilek et al 2017). This was accomplished using a spectral windwave generation and transformation model that provided estimates of wind waves in the nearshore areas.…”