Multi-Model Validation of Currents in the Chesapeake Bay Region in June 2010

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Department

Marine Science

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the validation of water level and current predictions from three coastal hydrodynamic models and document the resource and operational requirements for each modeling system. The ADvanced CIRCulation Model (ADCIRC), the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM), and Delft3D have been configured and validated for the Chesapeake Bay region during a Navy exercise. Water level predictions are compared with a NOAA/NOS water level gauge at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel location while current predictions are validated with Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP) measurement records at three locations in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Statistical metrics such as correlation coefficient and root mean square error (RMSE) are computed. Both the vertically-integrated currents and currents at varying water depths are compared as well. The model-data comparisons for surface elevation indicate all three models agreed well with water level gauge data. The two-dimensional version of ADCIRC, ADCIRC2D, and NCOM yield better statistics, in terms of correlation and RMSE, than Delft3D. For vertically-integrated currents, ADCIRC2D has the smallest RMSE at Thimble Shoal and Naval Station locations while NCOM has the smallest RMSE at Cape Henry. For the horizontal currents over the water column, the fully three-dimensional, baroclinic ADCIRC model, ADCIRC3D, and NCOM both showed better agreement with the ADP measurements.

Publication Title

Marine Geodesy

Volume

35

Issue

4

First Page

399

Last Page

598

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