Tidal dynamics in channels: 2. Complex channel networks

Intricate networks of tidal channels such as those found in fjordic, barrier island, and branching estuarine systems are often at risk from contaminant inputs and can be important as spawning grounds or migration pathways for marine organisms. These intricate systems are rarely spatially resolved in regional-scale numerical tidal models, and setting up a specific detailed numerical model for the purpose of rapidly assessing the likely tidal behavior of such geometrically complex systems carries a high overhead. Here we describe a straightforward algorithm (implemented in MATLAB) which permits rapid assessment of the linear tidal dynamics in an arbitrarily complex network of tidal channels. The method needs only a minimum of input data, namely, (1) the forcing tidal elevation amplitude and phase at the entrances of those channels directly exposed to the open sea and (2) the length, width, and depth of each channel. The performance of the method is tested against results from the finite element regional-scale numerical model of Foreman et al. (1993) in the fjordic region of western Canada.