Navigation Simulation Study, Mouth of the Colorado River, Matagorda, Texas

Authors: Michelle M. thevenot; Larry L. Daggett; ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS COASTAL HYDRAULICS LA B

Abstract:

At one time, the Colorado River flowed across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) into the Gulf of Mexico. A project to divert the freshwater riverflows into West Matagorda Bay is under construction. Its main objective is to increase the productivity of the bay. The project includes a diversion dam to be located on the present Colorado River and a rerouted navigation bypass channel to allow access from the GIWW to the Gulf. The navigation bypass channel outlet will join the GIWW between the eastern lock and a floating pontoon bridge on Route 2031. A tow simulation study to address the navigation issues raised by industry was conducted on the ship simulator at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. The study included simulations of the crosscurrents from the Colorado River with and without the diversion channel, as well as the tidal currents from three proposed navigation bypass channels. The study had three purposes. One was to determine if the diversion of the riverflow into the channel to Matagorda Bay will have a negative impact on tows crossing the Colorado River between the locks. The second purpose was to determine whether tidal flows may cause navigation problems for GIWW traffic in the vicinity of the navigation bypass channel. The third purpose was to determine at what frequency critical flow conditions will occur and develop operating procedures to minimize the impacts of these critical flows. The investigation was conducted in two phases to determine: (a) the safe operational limits of crosscurrent conditions, and (b) the length of time during cycles that these limits are exceeded.

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APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE