Navigating the Columbia River BarCaptain Dan Jordan

Pacific

Ocean

Baker Bay

South Jetty

Clatsop Spit

Peacock Spit

Washington

Oregon

Sand Island

Ilwaco

AstoriaHammond

Chinook

Jetty “A”

Long Beach

North Head

Columbia River Estuary

N

Channel

Pacific

Ocean

Baker Bay

South Jetty

Clatsop Spit

Peacock Spit

Washington

Oregon

Sand Island

Ilwaco

AstoriaHammond

Chinook

Jetty “A”

Long Beach

North Head

Columbia River Estuary

NN

Channel

Ebb current

Coastal current

Ocean swell

11 miles

Change in the 40-ft depth Contour thru Time

1993

1930

1930

2000

2000

A

Shore line: Pre- jetty

3 km

Peacock Spit Baker Bay

1919

1919

The underwater shoals at MCR are eroding, affecting the stability of the jetties and the inlet

2009

3 MAR 1999 - Extr Trop Low

image courtesy of NOAA

WA

OR

CA

BC

Pacific

Ocean

29 AUG 2005 – Hurricane Katrina

image courtesy of NOAA

Total Storm Power and Maximum Wave Height TrendsPacific Northwest Coast, USA

The yellow columns are highlighted to illustrate a grouping of high intensity years. Number of events tracks along similar trend line.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Ma

xim

um

Wa

ve

He

igh

t (m

)

Cu

mu

lati

ve

Sto

rm P

ow

er

(Jo

ule

s (

10

10)

pe

r 1

00

m

ete

r

Storm Climate Intensity (1984 to 2008)(Using Cumulative Storm Power and Maximum Wave Height)

Total Storm Power

Maximum Wave Height

Average Storm Power = 8450 Joules (1010)

Average Maximum Wave Height = 9.4 m

A major part of a bar pilot’s job is to know when its safe to cross the Bar

46005287 nm @ 19 hrs

4608971 nm @ 5 hrs

4602918 nm @ 1 hr

46243

4605092 nm @ 6 hrs

46041

Pacific Northwest Buoy MeetingThursday, June 18th 2009

10 AM – 2 PMLewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Ilwaco, WA

Purpose: Explore ways to improve the current buoy system and provide better wave, wind and weather information and predictions for the region.

Goals and Outcomes:1. Understand the status, capabilities, and gaps in the current data buoy systems.2. Understand needs, drivers and opportunities for new buoys at the Mouth of the Columbia River.3. Build consensus on new buoys needed for the region:

a. How will data be used by various stakeholders?b. What are the needed system components and location(s)?c. How do we incorporate new buoys into existing data networks?d. What are the funding needs and opportunities for placing and maintaining new buoys?

4. Develop strategy for funding and partnerships for new buoys at the Mouth of the Columbia River.

Background: This meeting was a recommendation from the recent workshop held on April 27 and 28 on wave conditions and navigational safety at the Mouth of the Columbia River related particularly to dredging activities.

Organizers: Portland District Corps of Engineers, Columbia River Bar Pilots, Columbia River Crab Fisherman’s Association and the Washington Department of Ecology

Pacific Northwest Buoy MeetingParticipating Stakeholders

Merchants Exchange

Pacific County

Office of Senator Murray

Office of Congressman Wu

Office of Congressman Baird

The Oregonian

The Daily Astorian

Crowley Petroleum Services

NANOOS

Oregon fishermen's Cable Committee

Foss Maritime

Office of Senator Cantwell

Washington State Representiitve, 19th District

WSU Extension/Washington Sea Grant

Washington Dungeness Crab Fishermen's Assoc.

Columbia River Crab Fishermen's Assoc.

National Weather Service, Portland

National Weather Service, Seattle

National Data Buoy Center

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District

U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Portland

U.S. Coast Guard, District 13

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Golder Associates Inc.

Port of Illwaco

CREST/Port of Astoria

Columbia River Bar Pilots

Washington Department of Ecology

Oregon Sea Grant

Columbia River Pilots

Port of Portland

Columbia River Steamship Operators Assoc.

The Coastal Wave Network Template• Regional waves are

monitored by a pair of Outer & Inner Shelf Buoys.

outer inner

SHELF CROSS-SECTION

ShelfBreak

The Coastal Wave Network Template• Outer/Inner wave buoys are placed at wave model boundaries

for assimilation and validation.

PLAN VIEW

Harbor

ShelfBreak

GlobalModel

Shelf Model

LocalModel Shelf Model

CROSS SECTION

Local

Model

Proposed Outer Buoy200 Fathoms

46029

CDIP Inner Buoy

CDIP Point Reyes Buoy

CDIP Bar Buoy

Short Period Seas

Swell + Sea Prediction

Long Period Swell

NOAA 46026

Buoy-driven wave model predictionsSAN FRANCISCO BAR BUOY

Breaking Waves on the San Francisco Bar

FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY090

20

40

60

80

100

120

IVO of SF Bar

Fiscal Year

Nu

mb

er o

f In

cid

ents

Bar Forecast Begun by MTR

Fiscal Year (FY)

Surf Cases

IVO of SF Bar

Total

FY03 32 98 130

FY04 28 75 103FY05 29 81 110FY06 18 51 69

FY07 20 39 59FY08 19 30 49FY09 11 14 25

TOTAL: 116 203 319

Marine Incidents near

SF Bar

Incidents in the Vicinity of SF Bar

Wave ModelsMean wave direction Wave height

180 2

25 deg

270 deg

315

Offshore wave conditions for Winter Storm: Ht= 13.5 m, Tp=16.7 sec, Dir =222 deg, Wind=20 m/s @ 182 deg

MCR

Nav

igat

ion Channel

WA

OR

Peacock Spit

Clatsop Spit

MODEL Generated Wave Field at MCR Inlet

Ebb Current Wave Height

Ebb Current Wave Height

Another unique aspect of the Columbia River is the 100 mile, 600 ft wide improved channel

Container Ship Evolution

1st Generation (Pre 1960 -1970)

2nd Generation (1970 – 1980)

3rd Generation (1985)

4th Generation (1986 – 2000)

5th Generation (2000 - ?)

Container capacity

43 ft Improved Channel

40 ft Contour

30 ft Natural Channel

20 ft Natural Channel

An increasing trend of smaller or light draft vessels navigating only within the

improved channel causes more closer quarter situations than necessary.

Vessel AVessel B

Vessel BVessel A

Flood current

Vessel B

Vessel A

Summary• There is a wide range of outstanding forecast tools.• The Bar Pilots appreciate the continued support of

the NWS, Portland.• NDBC buoy reliability is imperative.• Support efforts for breaking wave bar forecasts.• NOAA and USCG are encouraged to explore solutions

to the increasing trend of dotted line navigation.– i.e. note on charts, paragraph in the Coast Pilot, modify

charted graphics of the improved channel and contours, etc.

“Caution and common sense are continuing requirements

for safe navigation”

U.S. Coast Pilot, Chapter 1