Bathymetric Control of Front Generation in a Tidal River.

摘要

A persistent tidal front is observed on ebb tide in the vicinity of the Nanjemoy Creek diversion on the Potomac River in Maryland. This front forms along the boundary between the creek water mass and the main river water ma ss and is evidence of low lateral mixing in the area of the front. An accurate numerical model of the river-creek geometry is able to reproduce this feature using realistic tidal and river forcing. Further investigation with an idealized model shows the importance of downstream (ebb) mudflats and shoals in generating this persistent flow structure.