EstProc - Wave modelling in estuaries with regard to changes in wave activity occurring over the tide (TR 141)

Tozer, N.P. (2004) EstProc - Wave modelling in estuaries with regard to changes in wave activity occurring over the tide (TR 141). Technical Report. HR Wallingford, Wallingford.

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Abstract

Produced within Defra Project FD1905 (EstProc). This report describes research into the performance of a number of existing wind wave models for application in UK estuaries. Estuaries in the UK are commonly characterised by wave generation areas that vary significantly with the tide, relatively strong currents due to river flows and the tides, as well as being exposed to waves that penetrate from offshore. This report describes the performance of two spectral wave models (SWAN and TOMAWAC) that are presently considered to be the state-of-the-art in coastal area wave models. A more simplistic single point model is also considered that is computationally more efficient, but typically requires more effort in configuring. Results from all three models are compared against measured data. However, the measured data is only partly publicly available and one of the recommendations is for public freely data repositories such as the Defra funded CEFAS/Wavenet resource to be expanded to include wave measurement sites within UK estuaries. Comparison with the measured data indicates that the computational models generally provide reasonably good performance and a number of conclusions have been derived from these results. However, there remain some unexplained inconsistencies and a series of simplifications and assumptions have been identified in the models which may contribute towards these. Further work is recommended to assess the implications of these aspects on the model results. Ideally, further tests should include more extensive measured datasets covering the range of UK estuaries and a range of wave/tide/flow events. An algorithm is provided within this report. This algorithm outlines the methodology of the simplistic, single point model. The purpose of this algorithm is to assist in the application of simple single point wave models for estuarial applications.

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