A stratification prediction diagram from characteristics of geometry, tides and runoff for estuaries with a prominent channel

Abstract Accepting the premise that it should be possible to predict stratification within an estuary from the characteristics of its geometry, tide at the mouth and runoff, we use data from 14 estuaries with a prominent channel to develop an estuarine stratification prediction diagram. The data are taken from NOAA (1985) atlas of estuaries from USA. We then apply the diagram to a year long stratification record from the Mandovi, a monsoonal estuary, which during a year goes from being highly-stratified to partially-mixed to well-mixed due to change in runoff from wet to dry season. Using data from 16 estuaries around the world, we show that the diagram can be used to distinguish characteristics of stratification and of forcing functions between estuaries.