|
projects >
effect of wind on surface water flows >
1999 proposal
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Project chief: Harry L.
Jenter, PhD
Program(s) (list all programs to which this work plan is being
submitted): FRAGILE ENVIRONMENTS
Program element(s)/task(s) (show percent distribution if more
than one element/task). This is a spin-off project from the project designed to address Element
1, Task 1.5, Vegetative Resistance to Flow.
BACKGROUND NARRATIVES
Flows in and through the Everglades wetlands and bordering subtidal
embayments are often characterized by very low velocities that are driven
or controlled at various scales by wind, gravity, pressure and vegetative
resistance. Little is known about the effect of wind on water movement
in these environments, and no focused efforts are currently underway to
assess its importance. This project is intended to address that fact.
Project objectives and strategy:
The objective of this project is to provide key information regarding
the effect of wind on surface water flow to those attempting to model that
type of flow in South Florida. This information will improve the representation
of the physical processes involved in moving the water in and through the
Everglades. In addition, it will improve the design and implementation
of data collection efforts necessary to provide boundary conditions used
to drive the flow models.
The overall strategy of this study involves three components: (1) a
series of experiments using an enclosed wind cowling constructed on top
of the indoor flume at Stennis Space Center to study vegetative effects,
(2) collection of a number of contemporaneous time-series measurements
of wind speed and direction from instruments already deployed at various
locations within the Everglades and bordering embayments, (3) combination
of results from these two efforts to provide improved wind forcing and
boundary conditions for surface water models.
Potential impacts and major products: Describe expected outcomes,
both scientific and management/policy-related. What scientific questions
and land-management and policy issues does this project help answer? Why
is it important to Program priorities? What products will you produce to
contribute to the desired outcomes?
This project has already produced a positive impact on the USGSís ongoing
surface water flow modeling effort in the Taylor Slough region of the Everglades.
Processed and analyzed wind data have been provided as forcing data for
the model, and model results using these data indicate that wind is of
major importance in obtaining high quality model results. In addition,
laboratory flume results to date indicate that under many natural conditions,
wind can substantially alter the flow of surface water through sawgrass.
This result will be of interest to anyone modeling surface water flows
through emergent vegetation such as sawgrass. The main products of this
project will include wind data to drive the USGS flow model of the Taylor
Slough region, an improved representation of momentum transfer from the
wind to the water in that model, and various fact sheets and peer-reviewed
journal articles or conference papers describing both the characteristics
of the winds in the Taylor Slough region and the results of the flume experiments.
Collaborators, clients:
USGS researchers that have used the results of this study to date include:
WORK PLAN
Prior to October 1, 1998
FY 1999 activities: Statement of the work to be undertaken in
FY 1999 and a description of the methods and procedures.
Activities for this fiscal year will consist primarily of analysis,
summarization and publication of the data accumulated from historical field
sites and the wind cowling/flume experiments. In addition, these data will
be processed in such a way that it can be passed along as necessary for
use in the USGSís surface water flow model of the Taylor Slough region.
Historical field wind data will be analyzed to identify the important
space and time scales of variation. This analysis will be done using simple
statistical methods as well as more advanced techniques such as spectral
analysis and empirical orthogonal function analysis.
The wind cowling/flume data will be analyzed to construct a formulation
by which the momentum transfer from wind to water in the presence of emergent
sawgrass can be represented. This will be done by constructing momentum
balances for the flume experiments and by analyzing differences in vertical
profiles of horizontal water velocities in the presence and absence of
wind as measured in the flume.
FY 1999 deliverables/products: Describe in more detail the specific
deliverables/products that will result from this work in FY 1999.
As stated in the timeline above, the deliverable products of this project
include two fact sheets and two peer-reviewed journal articles or conference
papers. In addition, wind data to drive the USGSís surface water flow model
of the Taylor Slough region will be provided as needed. Lastly, an improved
momentum transfer formulation will be provided for the Taylor Slough region
model.
FY 1999 outreach: Emphasizing FY 1999, describe plans to address
client requirements, decisions, and deadlines. New directions or major
changes for FY 1999 (if applicable):
The fact sheets and articles described above will be distributed and
the results will be presented at appropriate interagency meetings where
those interested in modeling surface water flow in South Florida are in
attendance. Results will also be presented at professional scientific and
engineering conferences when appropriate.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, OUTCOMES, PRODUCTS, OUTREACH
FY 1998 deliverables, products completed:
PROJECT SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
This project is led by a Research Hydrologist, Harry Jenter, who is
overseeing all of the work as well as performing a majority of the data
analysis and presentation. This is expected to require full-time involvement
for FY 99
Other required expertise for which no individual has been identified
(list by fiscal year for duration of project):
Additional personnel, probably at the GS-9 to GS- 11 level, will be
required to process the large amount of historical data that have been
accumulated to date, and to process the large amount of laboratory data
collected. This need is expected for 3-4 months of FY 99 only.
Major equipment/facility needs (list by fiscal year for duration
of project):
There are no major equipment needs for this project for FY 99. The wind
cowling/flume will have been shutdown by the beginning of this fiscal year.
|
|
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology This page is: http://sofia.usgs.gov/proposals/1999/windswfp99.html Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster Last updated: 11 October, 2002 @ 09:31 PM (KP) |
Back to Project Homepage