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#           Modeling surface wave dynamics in upper Delaware Bay with living shorelines      

      June 27, 2023    

Living shorelines gain increasing attention because they stabilize shorelines and reduce erosion. This study leverages physics-based models and bagged regression tree (BRT) machine learning algorithm to simulate wave dynamics at a living shoreline composed of constructed oyster reefs (CORs) in upper Delaware Bay. The physics-based models consist of coupled Delft3D-FLOW and SWAN in four-level nested domains. The model accuracy converges with increasing mesh resolution. The simulated wave-induced current circulation substantiates the effectiveness of CORs in trapping sediments. The simulated yearly-averaged wave power correlates qualitatively with historical shoreline retreat rates. BRT is adopted to improve the model accuracy, identify key processes responsible for simulation errors in wave height (H8) and wave period (Tp), and quantify their importance. In the CORs sheltered area, BRT reveals that simulation errors of wind seas mainly arise from wind forcing, wave breaking and wave triad interactions. Wave breaking is seven times more important than wind forcing for simulating H8, while wind forcing and triad interactions are of equal importance for simulating Tp. Simulation errors of swells mostly stem from bottom friction and offshore wave boundary conditions. Results from this study can help the assessment and adaptive management of CORs-based living shoreline restoration projects under climate change.

## Citation Information

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#### Hongqing Wang, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

wangh@usgs.gov

337-266-8500

#### William Capurso

##### Physical Scientist

New York Water Science Center

wcapurso@usgs.gov

631-736-0783

#### Lukasz Niemoczynski

##### Hydrologist

New Jersey Water Science Center

lniemoczynski@usgs.gov

570-807-9632

#### Gregg Snedden, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

sneddeng@usgs.gov

337-593-5800

## Related Content

#### Hongqing Wang, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

wangh@usgs.gov

337-266-8500

#### William Capurso

##### Physical Scientist

New York Water Science Center

wcapurso@usgs.gov

631-736-0783

#### Lukasz Niemoczynski

##### Hydrologist

New Jersey Water Science Center

lniemoczynski@usgs.gov

570-807-9632

#### Gregg Snedden, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Wetland and Aquatic Research Center 

sneddeng@usgs.gov

337-593-5800

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#### New Jersey Water Science Center

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####               New York Water Science Center          

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dc_ny@usgs.gov

(518) 285-5695 

(518) 285-5601

####               Wetland and Aquatic Research Center - Gainesville, FL          

7920 NW 71st St.Gainesville, FL32653United States

352-378-8181

352-378-4956

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