Effects of Tides on Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Elwha River After Dam Removal.
Abstract
River plumes are a form of sediment transport from the river to the sea. In the
Elwha River, Washington, suspended sediment forms a river plume that is released into
the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Here, we evaluate the suspended-sediment concentration in
water-column profiles and sensor calibration to determine the location of the plume in the
Strait. The results suggest that in general, suspended-sediment concentrations were higher
on the west side of the delta than to the east side, and a bottom plume was observed in the
east. Based on changes in salinity and tides, we suggest that tides control the movement
of suspended sediment in the vicinity of the Elwha River mouth, and that low salinity and
suspended-sediment concentration are correlated.