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River Plume Liftoff Dynamics and Surface Expressions.
R A Branch1,2, A R Horner-Devine1, N Kumar1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Washington Seattle WA USA.
Water Resources Research
|October 1, 2020
Summary
River liftoff creates a surface ridge during high discharge, detectable by SWOT. Ridge presence and characteristics can estimate river flow, distinguishing high from low discharge events.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Fluid Dynamics
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Liftoff describes buoyant river water separating from the bed and flowing over denser saltwater.
- Understanding liftoff is crucial for coastal and estuarine dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the water surface expression of riverine liftoff.
- To determine the dependence of liftoff on river discharge using numerical simulations.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS).
- Development of analytical equations to describe the surface ridge characteristics.
Main Results:
- High discharge causes liftoff outside the river mouth, forming a detectable surface ridge.
- Ridge location and height correlate with discharge and river mouth geometry.
- The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite can detect the ridge during high discharge.
Conclusions:
- The presence or absence of the ridge can differentiate between low and high river flows.
- Ridge measurements offer a method for estimating freshwater discharge remotely.
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