Validation of volume continuity method for estimation of cross-shore swash flow velocity

The use of flow volume continuity to estimate depth-averaged cross-shore swash flow velocity is validated using appropriate field data. Swash surface and beach face elevation were measured by a network of ultrasonic altimeters mounted through the swash zone of a sandy beach. Estimates of cross-shore flow velocity derived from these data compare well with concurrent measurements obtained from a vertical array of four electromagnetic current meters (EMCMs). Significantly, the continuity technique allows swash velocity to be estimated throughout the full swash cycle. This is not possible using fixed current meters and the new measurements indicate that swash velocity is more negatively skewed than previously observed.