TIDAL ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION IN A BAR BUILT COASTAL ESTUARY

Abstract

Tidal Analysis and predictions are indispensable tools for scheduling construction activities in coastal areas, prediction of changes in tidal regime due to proposed projects, prediction of sea-level rise and fixing of datum. This paper presents the results of tidal analysis and predictions using the GETYSYS software with six months water level data as input and trend analysis of monthly mean sea level data of the Bonny River estuary. The analysis shows that the forcing oceanic tide is semi-diurnal dominated by the principal lunar (M2) and solar (S2) components. Trend analysis of monthly heights of Mean Sea Levels (MSL) showed that MSL is gradually rising at the rate of 2.5mm per month. Correlation analysis of tidal data with simultaneous wave parameters indicated significant tidal influence on Tz and Hs within the Estuary than for offshore. The predicted results were in good agreement with the observed tide.