Installation of a Nearshore Directional Wave Gage/Current Meter on Galveston Island

Summary

The installation of a near-shore directional wave gage/current profiler in Galveston, obtains data regarding the nearshore waves and currents.  These data provides critical information for sediment transport and beach erosion studies such as the current U.S. Corps of Engineers' Feasibility Study. It enables calibration of wave propagation models which transform waves from offshore wave buoys the model SWAN, (Simulation of Waves in the Nearshore).  It provides valuable data for developing models of and responses to coastal oil spills, and aid the National Weather Service to forecast wave heights in the near shore water and issue warning.  The nearshore wave and current data will be made available to the public on the Texas Coastal Ocean Network (TCOON) web site. Data from the wave gage/current meter will be used in courses on hydrodynamics, coastal engineering, and sediment transport at Texas A&M University at Galveston.  The data may also help predict times when dangerous rip currents are likely to be present on the beach.

Basics

Galveston
N/A
Texas A&M University of Galveston
$69,262

Classification

  • CMP 306
Planning Study Data Collection

Timeline

completed

Funding Sources

Source 1

04-008
Coastal Management Program (CMP)
Primary
Federal
$36,889
08

Source 2

04-008
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Secondary
State
$32,373
08

Contacts

Responsibility
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Contact
Dr.Tom Ravens Assistant Professor P.O. Box 1675 Galveston, Texas 77553-1675 409.740.4465 409.740.4786 Email
Responsibility
General Land Office
Contact
Coastal Resources 800.998.4456 512.475.0773