Predicting elevations of water surface in a tidal water system

Abstract

In predicting the tidal elevations in the Back Bay of Biloxi in Mississippi, the Water Quality Analysis Simul ation-5 (WASP5) hydrodynamics model DYNHYD5 was utilized. Model cali bration of the tidal elevation s was initially accomplished utili zing historical data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during the period June 14-16, 1977 along with a second set of data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) during the period Jul y 28-August 2, 1972. Final model calibration was performed utilizing a set of field data acquired on the Back Bay of Biloxi, during September 12-21, 1994 and during April 25 May 2, 1995. Comparisons of the predicted and observed tid al data are made qualitatively by using temporal comparisons. The response of model prediction cal culati ons is consistent with trends of the observed data ranges, but not with absolu te values in all cases. The results indicate that the model can accurately predict the tidal elevations in the Bay under varying conditions of estuarine flow