Hydrodynamic model in the Lagoon System of Navachiste, Guasave, Sinaloa, México

Abstract

The Navachiste Lagoon System is connected to the Gulf of California (GC) via 3 tidal channels. The system has an area of approximately 301 km2, with an average depth of 2.5 m and an average tide height of 1.5 m. In order to simulate tidal currents and the effect of wind, a numerical hydrodynamic model was applied, integrated in the vertical and in finite differences; to calibrate the model, lagrangean measurements were made and compared with simulated currents in the tidal channels of the system. The model simulates the hydrodynamic behavior of the lagoon system and has a correlation higher than 85% with the trajectories traced by the drift bodies and with the maximum Eulerian velocities measured in the internal channels and in the mouths of the system.