2023 CSDMS meeting-030

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Coupled Hydrologic and Hydraulic Model for Simulation of Freshwater Inflow to Estuaries in Costal Watersheds


Shimelis Setegn, SFWMD/FIU West Palm Beach Florida, United States. ssetegn@sfwmd.gov
Shimelis Setegn, SFWMD/FIU West Palm Beach Florida, United States. ssetegn@fiu.edu



This study presents a coupled hydrologic and hydraulic model for simulating freshwater inflow to estuaries in coastal watersheds. The model integrates a hydrologic model that simulates the distribution of freshwater over the coastal watershed and a hydraulic model that simulates freshwater transport through the estuary. The hydrologic model is based on a physically based, distributed rainfall-runoff model, while the hydraulic model uses a two-dimensional, depth-averaged model of estuarine circulation. The two models are coupled with a consistent set of boundary conditions and physical parameters. The model is a time-dependent, coupled hydrologic and hydraulic simulation model. It includes the representation of basic surface hydrology, groundwater flow, surface water flow, and water quality fate and transport. The model is capable of simulating hydrology in watersheds with high groundwater tables and dense drainage canal networks. The model was developed using long-time series rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, basin boundary, hydrography including streams and canals features, soil, land use, and land surface elevations. The coupled model is applied to a case study of a coastal watershed in south Florida, and the results are compared to observations from the field. The results indicate that the model accurately simulates the distribution of freshwater over the coastal watershed and the transport of freshwater through the estuary and that it is a valuable tool for understanding the dynamics of freshwater inflow to estuaries in coastal watersheds.