Author(s): E. J. Mclean; J. B. Hinwood
Linked Author(s): Errol McLean
Keywords: Tidal inlet; Estuary; Tidal analysis; Spring tide; Tidal pumping; Lake Conjol
Abstract: Spring tidal pumping [STP] is the increase in mean water level of a tidal basin in response to the larger tidal forcing of the spring tide. It is of particular importance in the inundation of tidal wetlands and in the flushing of estuaries with constricted entrances. Using a fourier expansion analysis the principal factors causing STP are identified and quantified to first order. A previous paper used a 2-cell model based on the non-linear equations to explore the response of a small estuary to each of these processes It was shown that the dominant cause of STP is the asymmetry in flow caused by the variation of entrance channel depth over the tidal cycle. Other factors such as nonlinear resistance to flow and catchment flows have quite minor effects. Tidal data from Lake Conjola in south east Australia are presented and analysed to demonstrate the role of the forcing tidal constituents on STP and to illustrate the nature of this relationship as the entrance becomes progressively restricted.
Year: 2011