This report presents the findings of physical model tests of deepening the approach channels to Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia. The tests included a steady-state portion for the determination of the tide and current velocity effects of channel deepening as well as a dynamic portion where variable tide and freshwater inputs were used to study salinity redistributions. The steady-state tests showed that tides would remain unaffected by channel deepening while the velocity studies indicated some subtle changes caused by the deepening. An overall decrease in velocity amplitude of 0.13 fps was noticed in the deepened condition. This decrease, however, was barely detectable by model instrumentation. Slight increases in flood predominance were noticed under average inflow conditions indicating that salinity intrusion may move upstream in the study area. The dynamic tests served two purposes. First, they were intended to define the salinity patterns in detail throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay which had previously not been done, particularly with regard to the presence of the "neap-spring" salinity response to varying tide conditions. The study detected a strong neap-spring response in the study area and documented its magnitude at each of the stations in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Second and most important was predicting what changes to the existing salinity character of Chesapeake Bay would be brought on by the proposed channel deepening. Salinity sampling stations were located at 193 positions throughout the Chesapeake Bay system with the vast majority being located near the project area in the lower bay and James River areas. A 2-1/2-year weekly stepped variable hydrograph taken from historical records and a 28-lunar-day, 56-cycle, 12-constituent variable tide were used as boundary conditions. Source salinity was maintained at a constant 32 ppt which is indicative of low flow conditions. Results from 65 stations are given in the form of time-histories, plan-minus-base difference plots, depth-averaged and depth-averaged difference plots, isohaline and bottom difference maps. The graphics document the following observations: (A.) Neap-spring variations in salinity stratification are prevalent throughout the lower bay and project areas. Commonly, the variations are as great as 5 to 8 ppt at a given depth. (B.) Channel deepening caused an increase in salinity intrusion that was normally confined to the deepened channel areas. Adjacent shallow-water areas showed very little change in salinity. Areas outside the project area in the upper bay showed no changes that can be associated with channel deepening. (C.) Redistributions of salt within the cross section were noticed in channels with adjacent shallow-water areas. In some cases, the shallow waters freshened as the channels became saltier. (D.) Overall changes to the salinity structure could be characterized by a net increase in depth-averaged salt with an increase in stratification. Bottom variations in the neap-spring response were noticed in the form of damped salinity variations for equivalent tidal inputs. Results of the tests indicate salinity changes to the estuary which can be attributed to channel deepening. On the average, the changes are small, normally less than 2 ppt, in an extremely dynamic portion of the estuary where natural salinity fluctuations due to variations in tides and freshwater input can cause weekly variations an order of magnitude greater._x000D_ _x000D_ NOTE: This file is large. Allow your browser several minutes to download the file.


    Zugriff

    Download


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Norfolk Harbor and Channels Deepening Study. Report 1: Physical Model Results: Chesapeake Bay Hydraulic Model Investigation



    Erschienen in:

    Technical Report ; HL-83-13 rept. 1


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1983


    Format / Umfang :

    42424933


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch



    Klassifikation :


    Norfolk Harbor and Channels Deepening Study. Report 2: Sedimentation Investigation: Chesapeake Bay Hydraulic Model Investigation

    Berger, Rutherford C. Jr. / Heltzel, Samuel B. / Athow, Robert F. Jr. et al. | HENRY – Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) | 1985

    Freier Zugriff

    San Juan Harbor Deepening Awarded to Norfolk Dredging

    British Library Online Contents | 1998


    Reverification of the Chesapeake Bay Model: Chesapeake Bay Hydraulic Model Investigation

    Granat, Mitchell A. / Gulbrandsen, Leif F. / Pankow, Virginia R. | HENRY – Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) | 1985

    Freier Zugriff

    Verification of the Chesapeake Bay Model: Chesapeake Bay Hydraulic Model Investigation

    Scheffner, Norman W. / Crosby, Leroy G. / Bastian, David F. et al. | HENRY – Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) | 1981

    Freier Zugriff

    Low Freshwater Inflow Study: Chesapeake Bay Hydraulic Model Investigation

    Richards, David R. / Gulbrandsen, Leif F. | HENRY – Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) | 1982

    Freier Zugriff