Three-Dimensional Behaviour of River Plumes Discharged in a Uniform Cross Flow

Abstract

A three-dimensional, primitive equation model that describes the spreading behaviour of a frontally bounded river plume is presented. First, the scheme is successfully confirmed to apply the thermal plume in a cross flow through comparison with field data obtained in the thermal plume discharged from Widows Creek steam plant. Secondly, computations for the growth of river plumes discharged into a uniform cross flow are presented and discussed for a variety of crossflow velocities. These results demonstrate the dynamics of river plumes, especially the formation of frontal structure.