Flow, waves and water exchange in the Suur Strait, Gulf of Riga, in 2008**The work was partially supported by the Estonian Science Foundation (Grant 7283) and by the Estonian Road Administration project Perspective Development Plan for the Transportation of Passengers and Cargo across the Suur Strait and Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment.

• DOI: 10.5697/oc.53-1.035
• Publication Date: 2011-06-06T14:07:09Z
• Authors: Urmas Raudsepp; Jaan Laanemets; Getli Haran; Victor Alari; Juss Pavelson; Tarmo Kõuts
• Keywords: Significant wave height; Winter storm; Wave height

Wind, flow and wave measurements were performed in November–December 2008 the relatively narrow shallow Suur Strait connecting waters of Väinameri Gulf Riga. During measurement period wind conditions extremely variable, including a severe storm on 23 November. The speed along strait varied between ±0.2 m s−1, except for 0.4 s−1 that occurred after as result sea level gradient. mean maximum significant heights 0.53 1.6 respectively. Because their longer fetch, southerly winds generated higher waves than from north. All events caused by stronger induced sediment resuspension, whereas current-induced shear velocity slightly exceeded critical value resuspension only when current was s−1. A triple-nested two-dimensional high resolution (100 Strait) circulation model SWAN used to simulate water exchange wave-induced field Circulation simulations demonstrated highly cumulative transport followed an evident seasonal cycle, there gross annual outflow km3 horizontal distribution during strong event indicated large velocities substantial variability. less deep area Strait.