Regional Circulation Modeling of the Texas Coast and Inland Coastal Waters

In support of regional sediment management initiatives by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a regional circulation model has been developed for the coast of Texas and its inland coastal waters and waterways. This large and complex hydrodynamic and sediment-sharing system encompasses 8 bays, 4 lagoons, 7 larger rivers, and the 560-km long Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Mesh development rests on numerous bathymetry sources, and model validation benefits from availability of more than 20 water level stations and numerous coastal wind gauges along the coast and inland waters. Practicalities of regional model development are described, together with preliminary validation. Availability of the regional model has benefited several local projects.