MODELING TIDAL HYDRODYNAMICS OF SAN DIEGO BAY, CALIFORNIA¹

Abstract

In 1983, current data were collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using mechanical current meters. During 1992 through 1996, acoustic Doppler current profilers as well as mechanical current meters and tide gauges were used. These measurements not only document tides and tidal currents in San Diego Bay, but also provide independent data sets for model calibration and verification. A high resolution (100‐m grid), depth‐averaged, numerical hydrodynamic model has been implemented for San Diego Bay to describe essential tidal hydrodynamic processes in the bay. The model is calibrated using the 1983 data set and verified using the more recent 1992–1996 data. Discrepancies between model predictions and field data in both model calibration and verification are on the order of the magnitude of uncertainties in the field data. The calibrated and verified numerical model has been used to quantify residence time and dilution and flushing of contaminant effluent into San Diego Bay. Furthermore, the numerical model has become an important research tool in ongoing hydrodynamic and water quality studies and in guiding future field data collection programs.

Modeling the mass balance and fate of copper in San Diego Bay

“…The volume, surface, and crosssectional areas of each box were developed from detailed bathymetric data for San Diego Bay (Wang et al 1998).…”

Tidal effect on chemical spills in San Diego Bay

“…WQMAP for San Diego Bay covers an area of 43 km grid nodes with an average horizontal resolution of 40 m. Model bathymetry is determined from depth sounding data provided by NOAA and supplemented by data from published navigation charts. Recently Navy conducted bathymetry surveys show that the water depths in regions near the bay entrance are significantly deeper than the water depths shown on the NOAA navigation chart [3]. The most up-to-date bathymetry data are used in the model.…”

“…Obviously, the bay has been intensively engineered to accommodate shipping activities. Ninety percent of all available marsh lands and fifty percent of all available inter-tidal lands have been reclaimed and dredging activities within the bay have been equally extensive [2,3]. Kelp forests extend approximately 2 km south of Point Loma (Figure 1(a)) and along its western side.…”

“…They are quite thick and they create seasonal dumping of currents to about one-third their values outside [4]. The currents in San Diego Bay are predominately produced by tides [3]. This tidal exchange between the ocean and the bay is a result of a phenomenon called "tidal pumping" [5].…”

Instantaneous Current Prediction for Naval Operations

“…This two dimensional model was calibrated using the 1983 observed data and verified using 1992-1996 observed data [1]. Discrepancies between model prediction and field data in both model calibration and verification are on the order of the magnitude of uncertainties in the field data [2]. In this study, a 2D hydrodynamic model similar to [2] with curve-linear coordinates and graphic use interface is used to predict instantaneous current velocity in San Diego Bay with high temporal and spatial resolutions using NOAA tide table data at Station-1.…”