The flow dynamics of the Seaway channel were characterised using two methods, the intermittent deployment of one horizontal and two vertical Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) throughout February to June and the use of a boat mounted ADCP during the intensive water quality sampling. A permanent water level meter was also installed in the Seaway to record sea level changes associated with the change in tidal height.
As the dynamics associated with the northern wall of the Seaway are of most interest for this study, a vertical ADCP was mounted on the seabed between the marker beacon and the sand bypassing system transfer pipeline. The horizontal ADCP was mounted on the beacon itself, looking south into the Seaway channel and a vertical ADCP was mounted to the sand bypassing transfer pipeline in the centre of the Seaway channel looking to the surface. The ADCPs were deployed, maintained and retrieved by Gold Coast City Council survey divers.
The positioning of these three instruments provided critical details of the vertical water profile and the dynamic velocity changes, including the water speed and direction. This information will be used to verify and calibrate the hydrodynamic and advection-dispersion models.
During the intensive water quality monitoring, a boat mounted ADCP was deployed and vertical profiles of the water column were collected each hour relative to the release of the recycled water (starting approximately one hour before the release and the predicted high tide). Three sets of profiles were undertaken each hour relative to the sampling sites.
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