About the Project:

By examining spatial and temporal temperature and sedimentation patterns in Coos Bay estuary, this team built on a previous collaborative project to provide users with a dynamic picture of estuary habitat and potential impacts of climate change and land use changes, like removal of tide gates or dredging. The project team expanded an earlier version of a hydrodynamic model by adding relevant biological and ecological metrics, including a dynamic water temperature variable. Additional time periods were also added to the model, including three full years which demonstrate seasonal cycles and the arrival of a large marine heatwave to the estuary in 2014 and 2016. With these expansions, the project has reached more partners and provided video content for the visitor centers at SSNERR and the Charleston Marine Life Center.

About this Resource:

Estuary water temperature and its salt content (salinity) change on daily, weekly, seasonal, and even longer time scales! This collection of videos uses a hydrodynamic model to show temperature and salinity changes in Coos Bay and South Slough Estuary in different seasons. The animations illustrate model simulation results for the years 2014 and 2015. The model uses differences in estuary discharge (through precipitation), air temperature, ocean temperature, and winds to simulate changes in estuary temperature and salinity. This collection of videos is also on display at the SSNERR Visitor Center.

Coos Bay and South Slough Surface Water Temperature during a Marine Heatwave

This animation shows hydrodynamic modeling of surface water temperature in South Slough and the mouth area of Coos Bay. It compares a typical year (2014 on left) with a marine heatwave year (2015 on right) by showing daily temperatures for 90 days starting on Jan 1 of each year. The bottom panels show the associated river discharge during these time frames. Animation was produced through a 2021 Collaborative Research project.

Coos Bay and South Slough Surface Water Temperature and Salinity

This animation shows hydrodynamic modeling of a full year view of surface temperature (left panel) and surface salinity (right panel) for 2014. The date is listed in the upper left and is also indicated in the river discharge time series at the bottom. Animation was produced through a 2021 Collaborative Research project.

Coos Bay and South Slough Surface Tidal Variability in Salinity

This animation shows hydrodynamic modeling of hourly snapshots of surface salinity in the South Slough and Coos Bay entrance areas. The full video covers 16 days, illustrating the tidal variability in salinity during this time period in February 2014. Animation was produced through a 2021 Collaborative Research project.

Coos Bay and South Slough Surface Tidal Variability in Surface Water Temperature

This animation shows hydrodynamic modeling of hourly snapshots of surface temperature in the South Slough and Coos Bay entrance areas. The full video covers 16 days, illustrating the tidal variability in surface temperature during this time period in February 2014. Animation was produced through a 2021 Collaborative Research project.