Coastal Floodplain Prioritisation Study - Estuarine Tidal Hydrodynamic Models

The Coastal Floodplain Prioritisation Study is a product of the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS) developed by the University of NSW Water Research Laboratory (WRL). 
As part of that Study, a finite element numerical hydrodynamic model (RMA-2) (King, 2015) was developed to simulate present day and future sea level rise hydrodynamics in each of the Tweed, Richmond, Clarence, Hastings, Macleay, Manning and Shoalhaven River estuaries. 
Hydrodynamics is the study of water movement. In an estuary, three main elements control the movement of water (tidal hydrodynamics). This includes, estuary geometry, upstream catchment
inflows and downstream ocean tides. The geometry of an estuary is defined by its width, length, depth or the shape and storage of sidearms. Upstream catchment inflows are based on rainfall and runoff and downstream tidal inflows are based on the water levels in the ocean. 
The completed hydrodynamic tidal models adequately represent day-to-day variations to estuarine water levels using detailed bathymetry in the intertidal range, and calibrated over a long time period to capture different tidal conditions. The hydrodynamic models were calibrated to both water levels and flow (where possible). Calibration and verification periods varied between the seven (7) estuaries based on data availability. Information on the period of calibration and data used for calibration can be found in the appendix of each individual floodplain report.
The RMA-2 hydrodynamic model solves the shallow water wave equations and is suitable for the simulation of flow in vertically, well-mixed water bodies such as, estuaries. RMA-2 uses the principles of conservation of mass and momentum, and represents typical processes of bed and bank friction, turbulence and wind stress. 
The hydrodynamic model for each estuary comprised of three (3) main inputs:

Channel bathymetry;
Downstream tidal water levels; and
Upstream river flow.

The channel bathymetry was defined from existing hydro-survey datasets which had been collected for each estuary. 1-D elements were used to represent well defined channels in which the water levels remain ‘in bank’ and two dimensional 2-D elements were used to represent areas in which flow can occur in both the X and Y planes.
Ocean tidal water levels were based on MHL observations at the entrance of each estuary. Major upstream river flows were applied as inflow boundaries and were based on real-time streamflow
observations maintained by WaterNSW. Lower catchment floodplains inflows were not included in the modelling and were likely to have a proportionally minor influence on water level statistics near the areas of interest near the lower parts of the estuary.
Further information on the tidal hydrodynamic models are outlined in the Coastal Floodplain Prioritisation Study – Background and Methodology (Rayner et al., 2023) (i.e. the ‘Methods report’). Details of the specific inputs used for each estuaries’ model is included Appendix I of the relevant Study Appendices document (see references below).
The Estuarine Tidal Hydrodynamic Models for the following regions can be accessed as resources below:

Tweed River
Richmond River
Clarence River
Hastings River
Macleay River
Manning River
Shoalhaven River  

Legal Constraints
The estuary Hydrodynamic Models available here are Copyright 2023 Department of Regional NSW.
They are Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use these files except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License here.
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.
The User acknowledges that the Data may contain omissions and errors, assumptions and limitations. The User must rely on their own examination, skill and expertise in determining whether the Data is accurate, suitable or safe for a particular application.
Although every care has been taken in the preparation of these numerical models, DPI Fisheries and the authors accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the numerical models or damages resulting from the use of this information. The User releases the authors from all liability, negligence, injury, death, economic loss, loss of reputation or damages incidental or consequential whatsoever arising out of the Users use of the Data.
The subject model is based on or contains data from a range of sources (see individual report appendices) who give no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability) and accept no liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating to any use of the data.

Tags: Clarence, Hastings, Hydrodynamic, Macleay, Manning, Richmond, Sea Level Rise, Shoalhaven, Tweed, climate change, estuarine dynamics, estuary, model, modelling, numerical, tidal, tide, water level
Organization: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)