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Climate change impacts on wave and surge processes in a Pacific Northwest (USA) estuary

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Climate change impacts on wave and surge processes in a Pacific Northwest (USA) estuary
Names Cheng, T. K. (creator)
Hill, D. F. (creator)
Beamer, J. (creator)
García-Medina, G. (creator)
Date Issued 2015-01 (iso8601)
Note This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the American Geophysical Union and can be found at: http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/agu/jgr/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%292169-9291/.
Abstract Total water levels (TWLs) within estuaries are influenced by tides, wind, offshore waves, and
streamflow, all of which are uniquely affected by climate change. The magnitude of TWL associated with various
return periods is relevant to understanding how the hydrodynamics of a bay or estuary may evolve under distinct
climate scenarios. A methodology for assessing the hydrodynamic response of a small estuary under major
boundary condition perturbations is presented in this study. The coupled Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) and
Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model was used to simulate wave and water elevation conditions within
Tillamook Bay, OR, USA for two long-term scenarios; 1979–1998 and 2041–2060. The model output provided
multidecadal time series of TWLs for statistical analysis. Regional climate data from the North American Regional
Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) were used to drive streamflow modeling (MicroMet/SnowModel/
HydroFlow) and meteorological forcing within ADCIRC-SWAN. WAVEWATCH III, which was forced with global
climate data from the Community Climate Science Model (CCSM, a contributing model to NARCCAP), was used
to produce open boundary wave forcing. Latitudinal and seasonal gradients were found in TWLs associated
with varying return periods for both the hindcast and forecast. Changes in TWLs from hindcast to forecast
included the sea level rise component and were also modulated by changes in boundary conditions.
Genre Article
Topic hydrodynamic modeling
Identifier Cheng, T. K., Hill, D. F., Beamer, J., & García‐Medina, G. (2015). Climate change impacts on wave and surge processes in a Pacific Northwest (USA) estuary. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 120(1), 182-200. doi:10.1002/2014JC010268

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