Evaluating the Effect of River Discharge and Meteorological Parameters on the Expansion of Dry Land in Delta Areas; (Case Study: Wax Lake Delta, US)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of environmental engineering-coastal, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN

Abstract

The fluctuations in the extent of the dry area have profound implications for the delta's ecology, sediment transport, and overall geomorphological development. This study aims to elucidate the effects of various factors, including storms and cold fronts, as well as river discharge, on the dry area of the Wax Lake Delta (WLD), US. Utilizing the Delft3D hydrodynamic model, a series of simulations covering from August to September 2021 was performed to quantify these influences. The model was calibrated and validated using measured water level data, ensuring the reliability of the simulations. Results indicate that the average dry area of the WLD for September 2021 is approximately 25.1 km², which largely depends on meteorological forces and river discharge. Specifically, extreme storms have the potential to submerge the delta, resulting in prolonged periods of inundation. Moreover, the passage of a cold front can lead to a submersion of up to 48% of the delta's area during the pre-frontal phase, followed by an 80% increase in the dry area in the subsequent post-frontal phase, illustrating the transient but significant impact of such events. The study also determines that river discharge has an inverse relationship with the dry area of the delta; an increase in discharge corresponds to a decrease in the dry area, and conversely, a decrease in discharge leads to an expansion of the dry area. The insights gained from this research underscore the importance of integrating meteorological and hydrological data in the management and conservation strategies of deltaic environments.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 April 2024

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