Evaluation of River Regulatory Measures in Hughly Estuary using Tidal Asymmetry Characteristics

Abstract

Tidal asymmetry has a profound effect on estuarine hydrodynamics and sedimentation pattern. The information of tidal asymmetry can be a useful tool to evaluate the flow pattern in shallow estuary and characterize the dominance of flood or ebb flow. The effects of features (like obstructions, depressions, etc.) and discharge variation in a theoretical channel section is simulated to quantify the parameters of tidal asymmetry. A set of proposed river regulatory measures in a shallow estuary (Hughly, India) was taken up for evaluation using tidal asymmetry parameters to check whether this may be used as additional tool. The indications provided (flood dominance and hence sediment importing regime) with asymmetry parameters do match with field conditions (based on bathymetry survey data). The asymmetry parameters may be put to use to evaluate the change in flood/ebb dominance in relative terms in a given section.