Wind effect on Hudson River plume

Byoung-Ju Choi (1), John Wilkin (2) and Dale B. Haidvogel (2)

(1) COAS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
(2) IMCS, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

The Hudson River plume transports freshwater, nutrients, contaminants, sediments and momentum into the the New York Bight. In this study we try to answer two questions: (1) where does the freshwater from the Hudson River travel? (2) which forces are dominant in the momentum balance?

ROMS is utilized to investigate the Hudson River plume response to wind forcing. The model is setup with realistic coastlines and bottom topography. Tidal forcing is also included.

In a constant low discharge case, northward and eastward winds move freshwater out of Raritan Bay and away from the New Jersey coast while southward and westward winds accumulate freshwater in those locations.

During a two week of high discharge event in spring, the simulated river plume forms a growing freshwater bulge without wind forcing. However, with northward wind forcing the freshwater is directed to the east, while with southward wind forcing freshwater drains to the south. Eastward and westward winds arrest the plume near the mouth of Raritan Bay.