Wave Simulation in the Outer Río de la Plata Estuary: Evaluation of SWAN Model
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 5
Abstract
This work discusses the implementation and validation of the SWAN model forced by NCEP/NCAR reanalyzed 10 m winds in the outer Río de la Plata (RDP) and adjacent continental shelf that will be used to study the wave climate in the region. Thirteen-month-long in situ data series of wave parameters are used to validate the results from numerical simulations. A set of numerical experiments is carried out in order to find a suitable computational domain to generate realistic simulations in the mouth of the RDP estuary. Numerical experiments including current and sea level fields are run, demonstrating that simulated wave parameters at the outer RDP are not significantly improved. A correction coefficient, dependent on wind speed, is applied to the wind drag factor in order to minimize the differences between simulated and observed wave parameters. The relatively low resolution wave model that satisfactorily simulates in situ wave heights and directions but slightly underestimates periods is a reliable tool for future applications and investigations.
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Acknowledgments
This note is a contribution to the PICT 2002 07-12246 Project “Estudio de la dinámica oceánica y atmosférica del estuario del Río de la Plata mediante un sistema de modelado numérico integral,” PICT 2005 32606 Project “Variabilidad climática en el Río de la Plata. Cambios en los climas de olas, niveles, transportes y posición y estructura de la cuña salina durante los últimos 50 años y respuesta a potenciales escenarios futuros” and the UBA Grant No. X264.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 5 • September 2008
Pages: 299 - 305
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 27, 2006
Accepted: Jun 15, 2007
Published online: Sep 1, 2008
Published in print: Sep 2008
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