Modelling of tidal motion in shoaling waters: The estuary of Milford Haven

An experimental survey of the estuary of Milford Haven has been carried out in which velocity, temperature and salinity have been measured over the full extent of the estuary during a complete spring and a complete neap- tidal cycle. The measurements were taken from three survey vessels, each of which was used to service six or seven survey points so that the measurements comprised a total of about 40 vertical profiles distributed over a grid of 20 survey points for each tide. Tide level measurements at two points were made simultaneously. The experimental measurements of tidal level have been used to calibrate a two-dimensional mathematical model based upon a new numerical representation of the shallow water equations. The predictions of velocity for the model have been compared with vertically integrated velocities calculated from experiments, and good agreement has been found over the full extent of the estuary.The effect of a strong south-westerly wind in the estuary has been examined in numerical simulation.