Dec
15
Tidal Amplification - Chesapeake versus Delaware
In the Delaware Estuary, the tidal range at the mouth of the estuary becomes amplified, resulting in a larger range (difference between high and low tide water surface elevation) further up the estuary. One way to visualize this effect is via violin plots. The data below is from the NOAA PORTS system in the Delaware Estuary:
River mile 0 corresponds to the mouth of the estuary, where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
This effect is especially notable in comparison to the same plot for Chesapeake Bay (where tidal amplification is not observed).
River mile 0 corresponds to the mouth of the estuary, where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
This effect is especially notable in comparison to the same plot for Chesapeake Bay (where tidal amplification is not observed).