Anthropogenic modifications of estuarine morphology such as navigational channels have changed tidal dynamics in many estuaries. The implications of deepening may include shifts in tidal range, sediment transport, pollutant dispersal, and changes in flood risk, among others. Here, we use a numerical model to study how channel deepening has altered tidal elevation, currents, and energy fluxes in the Delaware, a convergent estuary on the east coast of the United States. Historical (1848) and modern (2014) depth soundings were digitized and gridded for a numerical model of the estuary. Numerical experiments indicate a doubling in tidal range, shifts in the arrival time of high water, and changes in elevation‐velocity phase. A historical increase in the upstream conveyance and transmission of energy is consistent with bigger amplitudes, swifter currents, and more progressive wave dynamics in the navigational channel. Changes in local topography were key in the modulation of tidal energy transmission upstream, especially in the tidal river.

中文翻译：

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历史通道加深对特拉华河口潮汐水力的影响

河口形态的人为改变，例如导航通道，已经改变了许多河口的潮汐动力学。加深的影响可能包括潮汐范围的变化，沉积物的运输，污染物的扩散以及洪水风险的变化等。在这里，我们使用一个数值模型来研究河道加深如何改变了美国东海岸汇聚河口特拉华州的潮汐高度，水流和能量通量。对历史（1848年）和现代（2014年）深度探测进行数字化处理并网格化，以建立河口的数值模型。数值实验表明，潮汐范围增加了一倍，高水位到达时间发生了变化，高程与速度相变化。上游能量传输和传输的历史性增长与更大的幅度一致，导航通道中的电流更快，波动力学更强。局部地形的变化是调节上游潮汐能传递的关键，特别是在潮汐河中。