A tide and circulation study of upper Laguna Madre : May 1, 1974 to April 30, 1975 : final report to the National Park Service for Contract CX 700040146
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Date
1975
Authors
Smith, Ned P.
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Results of the 1974-75 Tide and Circulation Study indicate that tidal motions move into the study site from the Gulf of Mexico at Port Aransas in anywhere from seven to nine hours, depending on the period of the tidal constituent. In the process of moving the 35 kilometers from the coast to the study site, tidal amplitudes are reduced to less than 10% of their values at the coast. Tidal motions in Upper Laguna Madre are predominantly diurnal. The total variance computed from water level fluctuations measured in Upper Laguna Madre is largely accounted for by meteorological effects. Only 10-30% of the variance occurs at tidal periodicities. The dominant rise and fall of water levels occurs at periods of several days and longer. The circulation of Upper Laguna Madre is comprised of three components. There is a convergent flow, totalling 926,666 m³/day, into the Central Power and Light generating station; a predominantly diurnal period tidal oscillation, involving an exchange of water with Corpus Christi Bay; and a similar long period oscillatory flow in response to meteorological forces, including winter frontal passages. The internal circulation of Upper Laguna Madre is a highly variable wind drift with some return flow guided by navigation channels, principally the Intracoastal Waterway. The flushing of Upper Laguna Madre is directly related to the internal circulation and exchanges with Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf. It is estimated that volumes of water equal to that contained within the study site move through Upper Laguna Madre in as little as eight days due to tidal forces, two weeks due to the intake of the Central Power and Light station, and 2-3 days in response to occasional frontal passages.
Submitted May 1, 1975
Submitted May 1, 1975