Lock exchange flow between vegetated and unvegetated regions

In this study, exchange flow between vegetation area and open water with exponential depth variation of density is investigated theoretically and experimentally. A numerical model is used to obtain flow properties and their dependency on dimensionless vegetation drag parameter. Experimental studies were done in a laboratory flume with rigid cylindrical dowels as model vegetation. An exponential density difference profile in depth was produced to represent natural situation. The laboratory measurements were consistent with the numerical predictions. It is found that decrease in water turbidity or decrease in density of aquatic vegetation increases the intrusion velocity in both open and vegetated regions.

Keywords:

Exchange flow , Exponential density profile , Numerical model , Vegetation drag