Hydraulic geometry of a small tidal estuary
Myrick RM and Leopold LB. 1963. Hydraulic geometry of a small tidal estuary. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Miscellaneous Investigations Series. 422-B. Washington, DC
A tidal channel in a marsh bordering the Potomac River near Alexandria, VA was mapped and current-meter meashurements of discharge were made at various locations and at various stages in the tidal cycle. These measurements allowed analysis of the chagne of width, depth and velocity with discharge at various cross sections and along teh length of the channel. There is als presented a theoretical development of some of these same relations based on hydraulic principles and on the assumption of a uniform distribution of energy and a minimum rate of work in the system as a whole. The change of width, depth and velocity with discharge down-stream developed from the field data checked closely with the theoretically derived values. The estuarine channel differs from a terrestrial on in that discharege at any section in an estuary varies depending on how the flow shaped the entire length of the channel between the point in question and the main body of tidal water. The result is that a tidal channel changes more rapidly in width and less rapidly in depth as discharge changes downstream that does a terrestrial channel.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Myrick, Robert; Leopold, Luna
- Date of Issue
- 1963
- Units
- GWMP
- Keywords
- Channel, Discharge, Estuary, Flow, hydraulic preoesses, Marsh, River
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Stream/River Channel Characteristics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Estuarine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Riparian Communities