Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Effect Of Increasing Depth On Salinity In The James River Estuary, Maynard M. Nichols

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

The effects of channel deepening on the salinity and density flow in the James River estuary, Virginia, were studied to predict changes that might affect oyster production. A hydraulic model with 1: 1,000 horizontal and l: 100 vertical scales was employed to integrate three-dimensional changes in salinity and velocity through reaches of variable bottom geometry. After natural characteristics of the tide, current, and salinity were reproduced in the model, tests were run at three levels of steady river inflow, before and after a 3-meter channel deepening. Results were combined with corollary field observations to evaluate changes in present-day ecological conditions. …

Sediments Of The James River Estuary, Virginia, Maynard M. Nichols

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

The James River estuary of the Chesapeake Bay region follows the course of a former river valley drowned within the last 9,000 years by the most recent rise of sea level. The floor is shaped into a central channel bordered by submerged shoals. Observations show suspended sediment is transported mainly by alternating tidal currents and secondarily by the net nontidal estuarine circulation. Transport results in a sequence of grain size distributions reflecting the mixing of two textural end members, clay and sand.

Silty clay is deposited in the river and upper estuary, whereas sand occurs near the mouth. Transitional types, …