Reynolds stress observations in continental shelf seas

One objective of these studies was to test and improve representation of dissipation processes in two- and three-dimensional numerical models, including the concept of the constant stress layer. At its very simplest, bottom stress is estimated from the depth-averaged flow via a quadratic drag law. Calculations from these measurements give values for the drag coefficient between 0.0006 and 0.0019, averaging 0.0011, smaller than the value used in most depth-averaged numerical models (0.0025). There is some evidence that the value of the drag coefficient is dependent on the tidal current speed.