The Making Of A Surface Current Atlas Of TheSt. Lawrence Estuary, Canada

• DOI: 10.2495/ce990091
• Publication Date: 1970-01-01
• Authors: F. Saucier; Joël Chassé; M. D. Couture; R. Dorais; Alain d’Astous; Denis Lefaivre; Anne Gosselin
• Keywords: Current meter

A 3D numerical model for water levels, currents, density, and turbulent quantities is applied to the St. Lawrence Estuary under typical summer conditions. The lateral resolution 400 m with 20 layers in vertical. results were compared 51 current-meter records, showing 15% average relative error. simulations reproduce strong large-scale baroclinic motions forced by action of tides on density field. Month-long synthesized into 108 surface current charts nine regions over 12 hourly periods through a semidiurnal tidal cycle. Linear correction factors derived take account diurnal fortnightly irregularities tide. These make up new Atlas currents published Canadian Hydrographic Service/ map scales chosen display Lagrangian currents. errors made when using estimated comparing its predictions two thousand minute-long, Global Positioning System drifts acquired all phases Estuary, differences less than 0.7 s~* 15° magnitude direction, respectively, at 90% confidence level.