Effects of Elevated Sea Levels and Waves on Southern California Estuaries During the 2015–2016 El Niño

• DOI: 10.1007/s12237-019-00676-1
• Publication Date: 2020-01-16T17:02:31Z
• Authors: Madeleine E. Harvey; Sarah N. Giddings; Eric D. Stein; Jeffrey A. Crooks; Christine Whitcraft; Timu Gallien; John L. Largier; Liesl Tiefenthaler; Hallee Meltzer; Geno Pawlak; Karen Thorne; Karina Johnston; Richard Ambrose; Stephen C. Schroeter; Henry M. Page; Hany Elwany
• Keywords: Sill; Berm

Abstract The 2015–2016 El Niño provided insight into how low-inflow estuaries might respond to future climate regimes, including high sea levels and more intense waves. High waves water coupled with low rainfall along the Southern California coastline opportunity examine extreme ocean forcing impacts independently from fluvial events. From November 2015 April 2016, were measured in 13 estuaries, both intermittently closed perennially open varying watershed size, urban development, management practices. Elevated caused raised prolonged inundation all of studied. Water inside mirrored levels, while those (ICEs) exhibited enhanced higher-high during large waves, tides truncated at due a wave-built sand sill mouth, resulting elevated detided levels. ICEs when sufficient wave-driven accretion formed barrier berm across mouth separating estuary ocean, height which can be estimated using estuarine lower-low During Niño, greater number than typical year that close annually experienced longer normal closures. Overall, wave exposure important contributing factors individual response conditions. Understanding increased influence closures will help managers develop appropriate adaptation strategies.