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Document Type

Book Chapter

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1976

Role

Project Coordinator, Jackson Davis (VIMS) | Volume Coordinator, Beverly Laird (VIMS)

Book Title

The effects of tropical storm Agnes on the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system

Publisher

Chesapeake Research Consortium

Series

Chesapeake Research Consortium publication ; no. 54

Abstract

The peak effect of the flood waters produced by Tropical Storm Agnes was seen on June 25 in the James, June 26 in the Rappahannock, and June 30 in the York. Recovery toward normal salinity conditions after the high runoffs proceeded discontinuously, with alternating periods of vertical stratification and destratification. During strongly stratified stages, saline water advanced upstream along the bottom. In the York and James Rivers, the most dramatic stratification occurred about July 20- 25. This event resulted in bottom salinity values exceeding normal ambient values and, at the river mouths, reaching values hitherto unobserved. This event was apparently controlled by the salinity distribution in the Bay. ~ess pronounced stratification maxima occurred in the James about July 6 and August 18 and in the York during August. These events do not appear to be correlated with stream gauge flow records or local precipitation. These events are possible instances of overshooting of equilibrium by the intruding salt water near the bottom.

ISBN

0801819458

Keywords

Oceanography-- Chesapeake Bay, Hurricanes--Atlantic States

Changes in salinity structure of the James, York and Rappahannock estuaries resulting from the effects of Tropical Storm Agnes


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