Chesapeake Bay Tidal Characteristics

Yi Xiong, Charlie R. Berger

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DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2010.27071                

Abstract

The basic knowledge of tidal characteristics in Chesapeake Bay is a prerequisite to understand the tidal processes in Chesapeake Bay. The tidal characteristics in Chesapeake Bay were assessed in this paper using basic tidal hydraulic analysis. Tidal elevation, currents and salinity data of Chesapeake Bay from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were retrieved, and analyzed to understand Chesapeake Bay tide. General knowledge of location, geometry, tides, freshwater inputs, wind, salinity, etc in Chesapeake Bay was described. Sediment distribution of Chesapeake Bay was briefly described and discussed. Amplitude and phase of the selected major constituent, form factor, phase difference between tide elevations and currents at a few tidal elevation stations within Chesapeake Bay were calculated. Tidal prism was figured out using cubature method. The analysis approach could also be used as a source of reference for basic tidal study in other tide-affected field.

Keywords

Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Characteristics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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