Griffith Centre for Coastal Management has a long standing research agenda spanning four decades within the Broadwater. This commenced in the late 1970s when Centre Director, Professor Rodger Tomlinson, initiated a physical process study to confirm the dispersion characteristics of the ebb tide within the Seaway channel. This study led to the original design of the current recycled water release system. Further detailed laboratory and mathematical investigations of the tidal exchange were also undertaken.
During the late 1990s further studies, conducted by Griffith University, were carried out to validate these earlier experimental results:
- Laboratory physical model studies examining the role of alongshore currents on the behaviour of the ebb tide flow and the tidal exchange.
- Field experiments using the natural isotope of nitrogen (N15) as a tracer to quantify the tidal exchange ratio.
- A major tidal gauging exercise was carried out in 1999 assessing the correlation between the water level and the flow reversals.
Recent studies undertaken by the Centre, supported by Gold Coast City Council, include the development of the Gold Coast Estuarine Modelling Study (GEMS). GEMS is a MIKE 21 2D hydrodynamic model which uses a flexible mesh modelling framework, and simulates the overall dynamics of the Broadwater (from Jumpinpin in the north, through the Broadwater and extending into the Nerang River system).
A subsequent study, the Broadwater Assimilative Capacity Study, formed the basis for the Seaway SmartRelease Study. As part of the Broadwater Assimilative Capacity Study, the Broadwater Dye Release Program was undertaken and involved the use of a red coloured tracer dye, Rhodamine WT, to measure the advection-dispersion coefficients of the estuary. This information assisted in further understanding the dynamic nature of the Broadwater.
Project Partners
Griffith University’s Centre for Coastal Management, working in collaboration with lead consultants DHI Water and Environment, developed this study for Allconnex Water. DHI are part of an international consulting and research organisation specialising in software and services to the water industry and are the developers of the MIKE by DHI modelling suite.
In addition, a strong relationship has been developed with SEQ Healthy Waterways to ensure the study meets the philosophies and targeted actions of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy Network. Healthy Waterways have been involved since the inception of the study and provided independent expert advice and extensive peer review which added to the scientific rigour of the project.
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