HR: 0800h
AN: H41A-0124 [Abstracts]
TI: Development and application of a hydrodynamic and water quality model for riverine floodplain environments
AU: * Andrews, S W
EM: swandrews@ucdavis.edu
AF: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, One
Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, United States
AU: * Andrews, S W
EM: swandrews@ucdavis.edu
AF: Tahoe Environmental Research Center, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616, United States
AU: Schladow, S G
EM: gschladow@ucdavis.edu
AF: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, One
Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, United States
AU: Schladow, S G
EM: gschladow@ucdavis.edu
AF: Tahoe Environmental Research Center, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616, United States
AB:
A two-dimensional, depth-averaged hydrodynamic and water quality model was developed to better understand
the circulation, mixing, and water quality processes taking place during riverine floodplain inundation and to aid in
the design of effective ecosystem restoration plans. The model utilizes several computational methods designed
to accurately compute flow and transport in the contrasting river channel and floodplain environments. Model
performance was tested using benchmark simulations, and the model was then applied to a restored floodplain
on the lower Cosumnes River, CA, USA to examine the distribution of hydraulic residence times and implications
for phytoplankton exports to the downstream Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Average residence times were
found to be highly spatially and temporally variable and correlated with observed phytoplankton concentrations.
Results from hypothetical management scenarios indicated that if the floodplain were allowed to drain faster
there would be no significant effect on phytoplankton exports. The model is currently being applied to assess the
potential for floodplain remediation on the Upper Truckee River, CA to reduce loadings of nitrogen, phosphorus,
and suspended sediment to Lake Tahoe, CA-NV, USA.
DE: 1820 Floodplain dynamics
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
DE: 1894 Instruments and techniques: modeling
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting