Field and Numerical Study of the Columbia River Mouth

This work presents the results of the numerical study implemented for the natural area of Lido di Spina, a touristic site along the Italian coast of the North Adriatic Sea, close to the mouth of River Reno. High-resolution simulations of nearshore dynamics are carried out under climate change conditions estimated for the site. The adopted modeling chain is based on the implementation of multiple-nested, open-source numerical models. More specifically, the coupled wave-2D hydrodynamics runs, using the open-source TELEMAC suite, are forced at the offshore boundary by waves resulting from the wave model (SWAN) simulations for the Adriatic Sea, and sea levels computed following a joint probability analysis approach. The system simulates present-day scenarios, as well as conditions reflecting the high IPCC greenhouse concentration trajectory named RCP8.5 under predicted climate changes. Selection of sea storms directed from SE (Sirocco events) and E–NE (Bora events) is performed together with Gumbel analysis, in order to define ordinary and extreme sea conditions. The numerical results are here presented in terms of local parameters such as wave breaking position, alongshore currents intensity and direction and flooded area, aiming to provide insights on how climate changes may impact hydrodynamics at a site scale. Although the wave energy intensity predicted for Sirocco events is expected to increase only slightly, modifications of the wave dynamics, current patterns, and inland flooding induced by climate changes are expected to be significant for extreme conditions, especially during Sirocco winds, with an increase in the maximum alongshore currents and in the inundated area compared to past conditions.

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FORECASTING THE WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTIONS AT THE MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER, OR, USA

Coastal Engineering Proceedings ◽

10.9753/icce.v33.waves.53 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (33) ◽

pp. 53 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah Kassem ◽

H. Tuba Ozkan-Haller

Keyword(s):

Pacific Northwest ◽

Mean Squared Error ◽

River Mouth ◽

Columbia River ◽

Tidal Currents ◽

General Effect ◽

The Pacific ◽

Wave Forecast ◽

Channel Wave ◽

Wave Heights

An operational wave forecast of the area near the mouth of the Columbia River is presented. This region is known for its large waves and strong tidal currents. The forecast is forced with full directional spectra obtained from a refined WaveWatchIII forecast of the Pacific Northwest, and tidal current inputs are obtained from an estuarine circulation forecast of the Columbia River. The forecast has been operational since August 2011 providing short-term predictive wave information at the mouth of the Columbia River. Results from a 6-month period are promising, with a normalized root-mean-squared error (NRMSE) of 16% at the location of an inshore buoy, which is located outside the zone of tidal influence in 25 m water depth. Near the river mouth and in the channel, wave heights are heavily dominated by the tidal currents which significantly increase wave heights on ebb tides. Hindcast results shows that the model is able to predict the general effect of the tidal currents with a NRMSE of 30% in wave heights at the river mouth. Despite some of the model limitations, it still provides valuable information to navigators and bar pilots since it includes the effects of the tidal currents.

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Conductivity-Temperature-Depth Profiling of the Columbia River Mouth Using Pacific Harbor Seals as Sampling Platforms

10.21236/ada598459 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robin F. Brown ◽

Steve J. Jeffries ◽

Bryan E. Wright

Keyword(s):

Depth Profiling ◽

River Mouth ◽

Columbia River ◽

Harbor Seals ◽

Temperature Depth ◽

Temperature Depth Profiling ◽

Pacific Harbor Seals

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Bathymetric Distribution of Brittlestars (Ophiuroidea) Collected off the Northern Oregon Coast

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f65-124 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 1407-1424 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sergei Astrahantseff ◽

Miles S. Alton

Keyword(s):

Atomic Energy Commission ◽

River Mouth ◽

Benthic Fauna ◽

Columbia River ◽

Single Species ◽

Species Number ◽

Bathymetric Distribution ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Study Species ◽

Benthic Zone

A cooperative study by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission was undertaken to evaluate the composition of benthic fauna indigenous to waters adjacent to the Columbia River mouth. Standard stations were established by 25-fath intervals between 50 and 500 fath, and by 50-fath intervals from 500 to 1050 fath. Fifty- to 500-fath stations were monitored seasonally while sampling of deeper stations was generally restricted to spring and summer cruises.Twenty-four species of ophiuroids representing eight families and 14 genera were collected during this study. Species number varied by station ranging from one at 650 fath to a maximum of nine species at 300 fath.The number of species of ophiuroids by benthic zone showed a general increase with increasing depth. The total number of species collected by benthic zone was 4 from the sublittoral, 8 from the upper bathyal, 13 from the lower bathyal, and 15 from the abyssal. One, three, and eight species were confined to the outer sublittoral, lower bathyal, and abyssal, respectively.The highest availability of ophiuroids occurred between 150 and 250 fath and between 800 and 1050 fath. Lowest availability occurred at 125, 325, and 350 fath where few or no ophiuroids were observed. Larger catches of ophiuroids were estimated to contain from 500 to 2000 individuals. A single species, Ophiura sarsii, consistently dominated catches from 150 to 250 fath; while four species, Ophiocten pacificum, Ophiolimna bairdi, Ophiomusium lymani, and Ophiophthalmus normani, dominated catches between 800 and 1050 fath.The families Ophiuridae and Ophiacanthidae predominate in the study area. Together, they account for the majority of species collected which include the five most abundant species.The bathymetric distribution of ophiuroids from the Columbia River trackline illustrates a changing species composition with increasing depth, with the existence of both stenobathic and eurybathic species.

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