Mathematical Modelling of Tides and Estuarine Circulation: The Coastal Seas of Southern British Columbia and Washington State

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies Series, Volume 30.Of the few major ports on the western seaboard of North America, two are located on the extensive complex of waters contained between Vancouver Island and the mainland coasts of British Columbia and the State of Washington. Prolific in marine life and supporting major fisheries, the importance of these waters is presently being enhanced by extensive developments in aquaculture. Increases in the discharge of domestic and industrial effluents and in the density of marine traffic, both commercial and recreational, emphasize the need for a quantitative understanding of the basic circulation and predictive capability with respect to major contingencies likely to occur. This work attempts a broad overview ranging from tidal and estuarine circulation, including the dynamical simulation of a major river plume and influences propagating in from the open boundaries, to the effects of storm surges and tsunamis.