The value of drifters for modeling fine scale circulation around manmade structures of the shoreline

Abstract

For this project, a data integration plan for the development of a simple mathematical model to show fine scale circulation around manmade structures was designed utilizing Davis-Star drifters. A simple field test determined which environmental factors to consider for such a model, which was then designed around the appropriate governing equations, and applied to a case study. The case study illustrated how to incorporate a variety of elements into the data frame, and how to represent the data mathematically to illustrate the circulation of water around the University of Washington’s dock in Portage Bay, WA. This study showed that by using a simple model and data that is publicly available, a high-resolution picture of the fine scale circulation around manmade structures can be generated.