University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Waves generated by river traffic and wind on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers

Bhowmik, Nani G.; Demissie, M.; Guo, Chwen-Yuan

Content Files
BhowmikDemissieGuo_1982.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90135

Description

Title
Waves generated by river traffic and wind on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers
Author(s)
  • Bhowmik, Nani G.
  • Demissie, M.
  • Guo, Chwen-Yuan
Contributor(s)
Illinois State Water Survey
Issue Date
1982-03
Keyword(s)
  • Water resources center
  • Water resources center--Illinois
  • Hydrology and hydraulics
  • Barges
  • Boats
  • Erosion
  • Rivers
  • Streams
  • Waterways
  • Waves
  • Wind
Date of Ingest
2016-05-23T15:30:12Z
Geographic Coverage
Illinois (state)
Abstract
An excessive amount of bank erosion along a number of waterways in Illinois and surrounding states exists at the present time. Erosion of stream banks attracts public attention, reduces property values, results in the permanent loss of real estate, increases the turbidity of streams, and accelerates the silting of reservoirs and backwater lakes along stream courses. Among the main causes of bank erosion along navigable rivers are waves generated by river traffic and wind. Also associated with river traffic is the drawdown of the water level in the channel, which exposes shore area and changes the flow characteristics of tributary streams close to their outlets. To investigate and collect data on waves and drawdown associated with river traffic on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, six field trips were taken to four test sites. The maximum wave heights measured in the field ranged from a low of 0.1. foot to a high of 1.08 foot, while the maximum drawdown ranged from 0.05 foot to 0.69 foot. The measured maximum wave heights and drawdowns were compared.to those expected on the basis of existing predictive equations and the correlations were found to be low. Multivariate regression analyses between the measured values and the important hydraulic and geometric parameters which were felt to influence the generation of waves and drawdowns resulted in two equations which predict maximum wave heights and drawdowns fairly well. Significant wave heights for wind-generated waves were also calculated. On the Illinois River significant wave heights were in the range of 0.9 and 1.6 ft for 2-yr and 50-yr winds of 6-hr duration, respectively, while on the Mississippi River the corresponding values were 1.3 and 2.4 ft. In general, the observed and calculated waves generated by both river traffic and wind are significant enough to cause stream bank erosion along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The relative significance of waves generated by river traffic in comparison with those generated by wind cannot be determined qualitatively at the present time because of the differences in frequency, duration, and magnitude. Further research is needed. The drawdown caused by loaded tows on the two rivers is also significant, exposing shore areas and changing the flow characteristics of small tributary streams during each tow passage.
Publisher
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Report (Grant or Annual)
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90135
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • U.S. Geological Survey
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1982 held by Nani G. Bhowmik, M. Demissie, Chwen-Yuan Guo

Owning Collections

Illinois Water Resources Center - Hydrology and Hydraulics PRIMARY