Removal of Salt Marsh–Impairing Tidal Flow Restrictions: Impact on Upstream Flooding under the Combined Influence of Rainfall and Tide
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 7
Abstract
Restoring tidal flow to anthropogenically flow-restricted waterways provides ecological benefits while also changing the flood risk of adjacent lands. Our research evaluated the flooding risk on Tremley in Linden, New Jersey if the adjacent Marshes Creek’s tidal flow is fully restored. A hydrological/hydraulic model of Marshes Creek was used to simulate the peak water surface elevations (WSELs) generated by existing restricted and fully unrestricted conveyance options under dry and wet weather scenarios. Model results indicated that simulated peak WSELs generated by the fully unrestricted conveyance option versus the existing restricted option (1) were higher under dry weather conditions, (2) increased at a slower rate under wet conditions, (3) were equal under wet conditions at a threshold rainfall depth, and (4) were lower under wet conditions for rainfall exceeding the threshold rainfall depth. It is intuitive that if the simulated common WSEL generated by both conveyance options is lower than the adjacent minimum grade elevation, then full tidal flow restoration reduces flooding risks. Alternatively, if the simulated common WSEL was higher than the adjacent minimum grade elevation, then full tidal flow restoration will increase flooding risk. A simple procedure based on this finding is provided in this paper, which identifies the maximum tidal conveyance level that generates a common peak water surface lower than the adjacent minimum grade elevation at the threshold rainfall depth.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. These include the following:
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Water surface elevation and velocity time series field data; and
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The PCSWMM model input files for all scenarios.
Acknowledgments
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funded the study of Marshes Creek in the community of Tremley Point in Linden, New Jersey. Additionally, the National Graduate Education for Minorities (GEM) Consortium and Rutgers University awarded graduate study fellowships to the first author (BAB). Jung Hoon Kim and Josh Greenberg of Rutgers University assisted in gathering field data, and George Vircik and Joseph Chrobak of the City of Linden Engineering Department provided access and support during the field data gathering effort. CHIWATER provided the software free of charge for use on this project.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 7 • July 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 11, 2020
Accepted: Mar 24, 2021
Published online: May 14, 2021
Published in print: Jul 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Oct 14, 2021
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