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A Comprehensive Approach for Estimating Hydraulic Quantities in a Multi-branched Estuarine System

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Abstract

Despite many previous investigations, there is no theoretically justifiable equation to determine the freshwater discharge, tidal velocity, and salinity in a complex estuary that contains several branches. In this study, the longitudinal distributions of freshwater and salinity concentration in multi-branched estuaries are investigated using a mathematical model, considering the energy balance by frictional head loss and the salt balance by diffusion and advection in a one-dimensional steady-state condition. We attempt to obtain the time-mean freshwater discharge rate quantitatively at a junction where the main flow separates into two branches. The salinity distribution along each branch is calculated by following the dispersion coefficient equation previously proposed for a single estuary. The salinity field is divided into the near-coast region and the upstream region, because in each segment the inland velocity varies according to the tidal flux. For computing the tidal velocity, we propose the Burgers equation and the Hoph-Cole transformation. The theoretical results obtained by these equations were found to be in good agreement with a set of observed data in the Red River estuary system.

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Acknowledgements

The writers gratefully acknowledge the members of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environment (IMHE), Hanoi, Vietnam for their kindly supports during the data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan

    Motohiko Umeyama & Satoshi Motani

  2. Department of Hydrology and Environments, Water Resources University, 175 Tay Son, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Duc Hoang Nguyen

  3. Department of Marine and Coastal Engineering, Water Resources University, 175 Tay Son, Dong Da, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Cat Vu Minh & Xuan Roanh Le

Authors
  1. Motohiko Umeyama
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  2. Duc Hoang Nguyen
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  3. Cat Vu Minh
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  4. Xuan Roanh Le
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  5. Satoshi Motani
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Correspondence to Motohiko Umeyama.

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Umeyama, M., Nguyen, D.H., Vu Minh, C. et al. A Comprehensive Approach for Estimating Hydraulic Quantities in a Multi-branched Estuarine System. Water Resour Manage 28, 3937–3955 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-014-0719-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-014-0719-7

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