A high-resolution integrated hydrology-hydrodynamic model of the Barataria Basin system

An attempt was made to build a model that can simulate salinity variations in Barataria Basin, and can ultimately be used for managing day-to-day operation of freshwater diversion aimed to rebuild coastal wetland in the surrounding area near the Mississippi River delta. A high-resolution (O (100m)) integrated hydrology-hydrodynamic model of the Barataria Basin has been developed to simulate the local hydrological cycle over the surrounding drainage basin and hydrodynamics within the basin. A hydrological model of local runoff from the surrounding drainage basin is coupled to a two-dimensional depth-integrated hydrodynamic model of the basin. The integrated model is forced by observed tides coming from the Gulf of Mexico, local wind, rainfall and evaporation over the model domain. The model can be used to simulate salinity changes in response to a variety of climactic conditions including drought and flood. For management purposes, the integrated model can be useful in simulating salinity alterations associated with the introduction of freshwater diversions.