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BITTER RIVER ESTUARY: Hydrodynamics and mouth dynamics |
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Hydrodynamics | ||||
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The Namaqualand coastline is under the influence of the northward flowing Benguela current and the characteristic upwelling of nutriend-rich water. Upwelling is enhanced during summer, by the prevalence of southerly to south-easterly winds, which tend to move inshore surface water away from the coast, thereby making room for the deeper-lying cooler water (Heydorn and Tinley 1980). (Ref 1) | ||||
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The prevailing swells are generated in the South Atlantic and approach the West Coast, predominantly from a south-westerly or south south-westerly direction. They reach a height of over 1,6m for 50 percent of the time in the nearshore area, as measured at Oranjemund, approximately 250km to the north of the Bitter (J Rossouw pers.comm.) Wave frequency at Buchu Bay, approximately 220km to the norht of the Bitter is 10-15 seconds for 95% of the waves. (Ashby, Harper and Van Schaik 1973) (Ref 1) | ||||
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The tidal range betwee MLWS and MHWS for Port Nolloth (160km to the north of the Bitter mouth) as given in the South African Tide tables 1980, is 1,57m. | ||||
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Mouth dynamics | ||||
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The mouth of the Bitter is situated approximately 35km south of Hondeklipbaai and 31km north of the Groen River mouth. (Ref 1) | ||||
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