Hydrodynamic Modeling to Assess Estuarine Response to Multiple Restoration Actions on the Skagit Delta
Presentation Abstract
A detailed three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was used to assess estuarine response to 22 potential restoration sites located within the Skagit River Delta as part of the Skagit Delta Hydrodynamic Modeling project. These sites were previously identified as restoration targets in the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan. The overall objective is to develop a suite of projects that are well supported to achieve long-term viability of Chinook salmon tidal delta habitat and community flood risk reduction in a manner that protects and enhances agriculture and drainage. The existing Skagit Bay model developed previously by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory using finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) was refined achieving 10 meter resolution at the restoration sites. Bottom elevations of the model grid were also updated with recent high-resolution Lidar provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and boat surveys by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Simulated tidal motion, circulation, and bed shear stress were driven by the tides, fresh-water discharge, and wind stress. The model was calibrated for water level at five gage stations maintained by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and seven stations maintained by the Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) throughout the 7-month simulation period from November 2014 to June 2015, encompassing the flood season and fish outmigration period. The model results were processed to generate quantitative information on areas of inundation, frequency of inundation, contour maps of depth, water surface elevation, salinity, and change in bed shear stress for various combinations of the 22 potential restoration actions. These results may be compared with the baseline conditions to assess feasibility of proposed restoration actions, evaluate cumulative benefits or impacts and address stakeholder concerns. This project is part of the Farm, Fish, and Flood Initiative (3FI) led by NOAA, WDFW, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Session Title
Toward Coordinated Resilience Planning Where People and Ecosystems are Being Squeezed by Climate Change
Conference Track
Protection, Remediation and Restoration
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Estuaries--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta--Mathematical models; Coast changes--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta--Mathematical models; Hydrodynamics--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta--Mathematical models; Water quality--Washington (State)--Skagit River Delta--Mathematical models
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Skagit River Delta (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Hydrodynamic Modeling to Assess Estuarine Response to Multiple Restoration Actions on the Skagit Delta
2016SSEC
A detailed three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was used to assess estuarine response to 22 potential restoration sites located within the Skagit River Delta as part of the Skagit Delta Hydrodynamic Modeling project. These sites were previously identified as restoration targets in the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan. The overall objective is to develop a suite of projects that are well supported to achieve long-term viability of Chinook salmon tidal delta habitat and community flood risk reduction in a manner that protects and enhances agriculture and drainage. The existing Skagit Bay model developed previously by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory using finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) was refined achieving 10 meter resolution at the restoration sites. Bottom elevations of the model grid were also updated with recent high-resolution Lidar provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and boat surveys by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Simulated tidal motion, circulation, and bed shear stress were driven by the tides, fresh-water discharge, and wind stress. The model was calibrated for water level at five gage stations maintained by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and seven stations maintained by the Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) throughout the 7-month simulation period from November 2014 to June 2015, encompassing the flood season and fish outmigration period. The model results were processed to generate quantitative information on areas of inundation, frequency of inundation, contour maps of depth, water surface elevation, salinity, and change in bed shear stress for various combinations of the 22 potential restoration actions. These results may be compared with the baseline conditions to assess feasibility of proposed restoration actions, evaluate cumulative benefits or impacts and address stakeholder concerns. This project is part of the Farm, Fish, and Flood Initiative (3FI) led by NOAA, WDFW, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Comments
This presentation is closely tied with "Thinking Big: An Assessment of 22 Estuarine Restoration Concepts to Achieve Net Gain for Fish, Floods and Farms in the Skagit Delta", by Jenna Friebel. If selected, we would ask to present immediately after Jenna in the same session.