HYDRODYNAMIC MODELING OF NEW RIVER INLET, NORTH CAROLINA USING NEARCOM-TVD

Abstract

The goal of this study is to investigate the role of wave-current interaction in tidal inlet hydrodynamics. A quasi-3D nearshore community model, NearCoM-TVD, is used to simulate circulation and waves at New River Inlet, NC, USA. Model skill for waves and circulation is evaluated at about 30 locations throughout the inlet, including a recently dredged navigation channel, a shallower channel, a flood tidal delta, and ebb tidal deltas, for a range of flow conditions in May 2012. Model skills for flow velocity and wave height are high in the channels. The numerical model also captures the sharp transition between wave-dominated and tide-dominated flows near the ebb tidal deltas. Model results demonstrate that wave intensity plays an important role in circulation (vortex) generation near inlet entrances.