Improved Understanding of Sediment Dynamics for the Coos Estuary - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

This project combined observations with the development of a hydrodynamic model to better understand and predict water and sediment flows in the Coos estuary. The project team collected time-series data of water properties including temperature and salinity, velocity, sediment type, and sediment concentration at monitoring stations in the Coos estuary, including the first bathymetric dataset to cover the entire estuary. These were combined with existing time series and maps. Using this data, the team developed a validated hydrodynamic model that skillfully reproduced observed water properties and sediment dynamics in the estuary over a range of forcing conditions (e.g., river discharge, winds, tides). The team then used the model to run two perturbation experiments that analyzed a proposed deepening and widening of the estuary’s main navigation channel and examined historic estuary conditions. The project provided users with a dynamic picture of estuary conditions and habitat, and has informed an update to the estuarine management plan and fisheries habitat maps, improved the success of oyster restoration projects, and increased data efficiency among community stakeholders.

The Coos Bay estuary in Oregon has a diverse set of end users who share a common need: to better understand circulation and sediment transport under current and future conditions. The estuary is one of three Oregon estuaries designated as "deep draft development," which means that planners must balance industry, restoration, and natural resource goals. This collaborative research project was designed to fill data gaps critical to addressing a myriad of management needs, including: characterizing present-day sediment distribution, monitoring sediment fluxes to the estuary, and modeling how circulation and sediment in the estuary will respond to perturbations due to both natural and human-induced causes-such as dredging or inundation caused by sea level rise.

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David Sutherland

University of Oregon

dsuth@uoregon.edu

(541) 346-8753

==About the data

The project generated seven related datasets that include field observations and hydrodynamic model outputs. The dataset description outlines field data collection types, methods, and locations, and provides information about model outputs.

1. Single beam echosounder data for Coos Bay bathymetry.

2. Water property profiles

3. Water velocity profiles

4. Grain size distributions

5. Water property time series

6. Discharge of Winchester Creek. Data publicly available from the Coos Watershed Association.

7. Hydrodynamic model output for year 2014. See the dataset description for the examples of the scenarios tested using the model.

Questions about these datasets can be directed to:

David Sutherland, University of Oregon, dsuth@uoregon.edu

The distributor does not assume liability.

None

Cite this dataset when used as a source: NOAA retains the right to analyze, synthesize and publish summaries of the NERRS/NSC data. The NERRS/NSC retains the right to be fully credited for having collected and process the data. Following academic courtesy standards, the NERR site where the data were collected should be contacted and fully acknowledged in any subsequent publications in which any part of the data are used. The data enclosed within this package/transmission are only as accurate as the quality assurance and quality control procedures that are described in the associated metadata reporting statement allow. The user bears all responsibility for its subsequent use/misuse in any further analyses or comparisons. The Federal government does not assume liability to the Recipient or third persons, nor will the Federal government reimburse or indemnify the Recipient for its liability due to any losses resulting in any way from the use of this data. Requested citation format: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative(NSC).

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This information is detailed within the project links.

This information is detailed within the project links.