View in EDS PDF Full Text

Hydrodynamic Strategies for Enhancing Water Flow in the Patos Lagoon Estuary under Extreme Climate Events.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Hydrodynamic Strategies for Enhancing Water Flow in the Patos Lagoon Estuary under Extreme Climate Events.
Authors: Silva, Cristiano Vitorino da1 (AUTHOR) cristiano@uricer.edu.br, Vanz, Raul1 (AUTHOR), de Freitas, Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelo2 (AUTHOR), Hunt, Julian David3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Coastal Research. 2026, Vol. 42 Issue 1, p74-84. 11p.
Subjects: Hydrodynamics, Channel flow, Estuary management, Hydraulic engineering, Climate extremes, Flood damage prevention, Water management, Computational fluid dynamics
Geographic Terms: Patos Lagoon (Brazil), Rio Grande (Brazil), Brazil
Abstract: da Silva, C.V.; Vanz, R.; de Freitas, M.A.V., and Hunt, J.D., 2026. Hydrodynamic strategies for enhancing water flow in the Patos Lagoon estuary under extreme climate events. Journal of Coastal Research, 42(1), 74–84. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The Patos Lagoon estuary, located in southern Brazil, plays a crucial role in regulating freshwater outflow from inland regions to the South Atlantic Ocean. Recent extreme weather events, such as historic May 2024 floods, have highlighted the importance of efficient estuarine discharge mechanisms to prevent prolonged flooding in adjacent areas. This study investigates the hydrodynamic behavior of the Rio Grande access channel and proposes alternative geometrical configurations to enhance flow during high lagoonlevels. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model using the Shear Stress Transport k-v turbulence model was employed to simulate and compare the performance of the existing channel layout with a modified design featuring a gradual Venturi-shaped constriction. The results indicate that the proposed geometry can increase the average flow rate by up to 26% compared with the current configuration, suggesting potential benefits for flood mitigation scenarios. An estimated USD 1.25 billion investment will be required to enhance the channel's water flow capacity under extreme conditions, which would represent only about 12.5% of the flood-related damages to regions affect by the May 2024 floods in Lake Guaíba and Patos Lagoon. This comparison underscores the economic justification and strategic importance of the proposed intervention, demonstrating viability for this undertaking. The findings are interpreted in light of observed dynamics during real events, recognizing that the jetty system (Molhes da Barra) plays a crucial role in supporting outflow during extreme conditions. This study provides a numerical framework to assess structural optimization in estuarine systems and contributes to ongoing discussions about sustainable hydraulic management under increasing climate variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Coastal Research is the property of KnowledgeWorks Global, Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:da Silva, C.V.; Vanz, R.; de Freitas, M.A.V., and Hunt, J.D., 2026. Hydrodynamic strategies for enhancing water flow in the Patos Lagoon estuary under extreme climate events. Journal of Coastal Research, 42(1), 74–84. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The Patos Lagoon estuary, located in southern Brazil, plays a crucial role in regulating freshwater outflow from inland regions to the South Atlantic Ocean. Recent extreme weather events, such as historic May 2024 floods, have highlighted the importance of efficient estuarine discharge mechanisms to prevent prolonged flooding in adjacent areas. This study investigates the hydrodynamic behavior of the Rio Grande access channel and proposes alternative geometrical configurations to enhance flow during high lagoonlevels. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model using the Shear Stress Transport k-v turbulence model was employed to simulate and compare the performance of the existing channel layout with a modified design featuring a gradual Venturi-shaped constriction. The results indicate that the proposed geometry can increase the average flow rate by up to 26% compared with the current configuration, suggesting potential benefits for flood mitigation scenarios. An estimated USD 1.25 billion investment will be required to enhance the channel's water flow capacity under extreme conditions, which would represent only about 12.5% of the flood-related damages to regions affect by the May 2024 floods in Lake Guaíba and Patos Lagoon. This comparison underscores the economic justification and strategic importance of the proposed intervention, demonstrating viability for this undertaking. The findings are interpreted in light of observed dynamics during real events, recognizing that the jetty system (Molhes da Barra) plays a crucial role in supporting outflow during extreme conditions. This study provides a numerical framework to assess structural optimization in estuarine systems and contributes to ongoing discussions about sustainable hydraulic management under increasing climate variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:07490208
DOI:10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-25-00018.1