Calibration and validation of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the Ohio River, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4091
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Abstract

The quantification of current patterns is an essential component of a Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) application in a riverine environment. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provided a field validated two-dimensional Resource Management Associates-2 (RMA-2) hydrodynamic model capable of quantifying the steady-flowpatterns in the Ohio River extending from river mile 590 to 630 for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) water-quality modeling efforts on that reach. Because of the hydrodynamic complexities induced by McAlpine Locks and Dam (Ohio River mile 607), the model was split into two segments: an upstream reach, which extended from the dam upstream to the upper terminus of the study reach at Ohio River mile 590; and a downstream reach, which extended from the dam downstream to a lower terminus at Ohio River mile 636.

The model was calibrated to a low-flow hydraulic survey (approximately 35,000 cubic feet per second (ft3/s)) and verified with data collected during a high-flow survey (approximately 390,000 ft3/s). The model calibration and validation process included matching water-surface elevations at 10 locations and velocity profiles at 30 cross sections throughout the study reach. Based on the calibration and validation results, the model is a representative simulation of the Ohio River steady-flow patterns below discharges of approximately 400,000 ft3/s.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Calibration and validation of a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the Ohio River, Jefferson County, Kentucky
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 01-4091
DOI 10.3133/wri014091
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Kentucky Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 33 p.; 2 Data Files
Public Comments Raw Data files provided are the ancillery bathymetry data of the Ohio River used to develop the model. One of the raw data files contains upstream data while the other contains downstream data.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Jefferson County
Other Geospatial Ohio River
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