condition than observed during ebb tidal conditions. In October and November, flood
dominance of this channel increased to 10 to 12 percent, which is the period of time when the
sand trap began to fill and interior shoaling increased along the entrance section of Banks
Channel. To stabilize the location of the inlet, a design goal was to maximize flow through the
Mason Creek, while controlling the alignment of Mason Creek with the new inlet channel
(Fig. 9). This goal has been reached in part, by the dominance of Mason Creek tidal prism when
compared to the Banks Channel tidal prism, although the flood tidal flows are contributing to
shoaling at the inlet entrance to Banks Channel and Mason Creek. The shoaling appears to be
greatest along Banks Channel that has caused a reduction in the overall tidal prism through
Banks Channel.
Comparison of Flow Rates at Banks Channel, Mason Creek and the AIWW
Banks Channel
200
Mason Creek
150
AIW W
100
50
0
-50
-100
-150
-200
26-Mar-02
27-Mar-02
28-Mar-02
29-Mar-02
30-Mar-02
31-Mar-02
1-Apr-02
2-Apr-02
3-Apr-02
Time (Date)
Fig. 8. Seven-day Comparison of Velocities 2 months after Reopening of Mason Creek Channel and
New Mason Inlet (negative flow is west, or towards the AIWW)
Seven-Day Comparison of Velocity at Three Gage Sites
150
Legend
Mason Creek
AIWW
100
Banks Channel
50
0
-50
-100
-150
05/25/02
05/26/02
05/27/02
05/28/02
05/29/02
05/30/02
05/31/02
06/01/02
Date
Fig. 9. Seven-day comparison of velocity after reopening Mason Creek (during spring tide)
10
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