Effect of channel connection on flow and salinity distribution of Danshuei River estuary

Numerical models are often used to evaluate the potential impact of human alteration of natural water bodies and to help the design the alternation to mitigate its impacts. A vertical (laterally integrated) two-dimensional hydrodynamic model was expanded to include the capability of simulating river loops as well as tributaries. The model was performed and applied to the Danshuei River estuarine system in northern Taiwan which consists of three major tributaries: the Tahan Stream, Hsintien Stream, Keelung River, and one river loop under the Chung-Hsin Bridge. The expanded model was reverified with observational field data of 2000. The verified model was then used to hindcast the river hydrodynamic conditions with a loop connection between the Danshuei River and Keelung River, which existed prior to 1965. It was found that the configuration of river loop connection has significant impacts on the residual transport along the connecting channel and the salinities in the connected river branches. The results show that the model may provide an ideal tool for management decision.