Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Fetch- and Depth-Limited Waves

This Javascript app implements Eqns. 3-39 and 3-40 from the Shore Protection Manual. Input is the wind speed u₁₀ measured 10 m above the sea surface, the fetch f, and the water depth h. The calculations adjust wind speed to adjusted wind speed U_a according to Eqn. 3-28a before being used. Calculated results are significant wave height H_s and wave period T.

The calculations assume a flat bottom with depth h, and sufficient time for fully-developed seas. No checks are made to ensure that reasonable values are entered or that the calculations are within the applicable range.

Input

Enter Parameters:

Units

Wind Speed u₁₀

Fetch f

Water depth h

Results

Significant wave
height H_s

Wave period T

Reference

Coastal Engineering Research Center (1984). Shore Protection Manual. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg Mississippi.

Disclaimer

Although this program has been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS or the United States Government as to the accuracy and functioning of the program and related program material nor shall the fact of distribution constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in connection therewith.

csherwood@usgs.gov
Last revised: 15 April 2015

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