Cape Fear River Estuary Plume Modeling: Model Configuration and Sensitivity Experiments

In this study, Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code (EFDC) is used to simulate the salinity plume distribution in the mouth of the Cape Fear River Estuary (CFRE). Effects of astronomical tide, river discharge and wind on the CFRE salinity plume were investigated. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the model simulated salinity plume are compared with observations measured by the Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program (CORMP). The results indicate that model results and observations show a good agreement in water level and salinity. The simulations also indicate that strong winds tend to reduce the surface CFRE plume size and distorting the bulge region near the estuary mouth due to enhanced wind induced surface mixing. Even moderate wind speeds could fully reverse the buoyancy-driven plume structure in CFRE under normal river discharge conditions. Tide and the river. discharge also important factors ....