Experimental Validation of Float Array Tidal Current Measurements in Agate Pass, Washington

Tidal currents, particularly in narrow channels, can be challenging to characterize due to high current speeds (>1 m s −1 ), strong spatial gradients, and relatively short synoptic windows. To assess tidal currents in Agate Pass, Washington, we cross evaluated data products from an array of acous...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of atmospheric and oceanic technology 2023-04, Vol.40 (4), p.475-489
Main Authors: Harrison, Trevor W., Clemett, Nate, Polagye, Brian, Thomson, Jim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Acoustics
Arrays
Biological activity
Buoys
Coastal dynamics
Coastal environments
Coastal processes
Coastal waters
Coastal zones
Doppler sonar
Drifters
Floats
High resolution
Localization
Low flow
Ports
Profilers
Prototypes
Remote observing
Resolution
Salinity
Stationkeeping
Temperature distribution
Temperature fields
Tidal currents
Underwater
Underwater acoustics
Underwater detectors
Velocity
Water speed
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Summary:Tidal currents, particularly in narrow channels, can be challenging to characterize due to high current speeds (>1 m s −1 ), strong spatial gradients, and relatively short synoptic windows. To assess tidal currents in Agate Pass, Washington, we cross evaluated data products from an array of acoustically tracked underwater floats and from acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) in both station-keeping and drifting modes. While increasingly used in basin-scale science, underwater floats have seen limited use in coastal environments. This study presents the first application of a float array toward small-scale (
ISSN:0739-0572
1520-0426
DOI:10.1175/JTECH-D-22-0034.1