Elbe sailors have the opportunity to prepare in detail for their feeder races. When is the tidal current where and at what speed? Where are current edges or spits? Answers to these questions are provided free of charge by the current charts.
The Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) has developed a mathematical model (UNTRIM) for the simulation of water levels, current velocities and other parameters as part of various commissions on hydraulic engineering issues in the tidal Elbe. Currents and water levels are primarily dominated by the tidal influence, but they are also influenced by the headwater inflow and the wind and are also superimposed by waves. Many BAW employees were involved in the project, with Dipl.-Ozeanogr. Marcus J. Boehlich, Dipl. Ing. Frank Böker and Dipl. Ing. Ariane Paesler playing a leading role.
As a result of a simulation with UNTRIM, representations of the currents and current velocities in the tidal Elbe in eight sub-areas from July 2010 are available for download. The visualisation covers 24 hours at intervals of 30 minutes and is available for a neap time (approx. 26 MB PDF) and a spring time (approx. 26 MB PDF).
The PDF is very easy to use via navigation arrows, giving the impression of an animation.
When looking at the images, it should be noted that only typical values of the current speed can be taken. The tidal current in the tidal Elbe is influenced by the upper water, wind and water level in the North Sea, and therefore the tides always run differently. However, the structure of the distribution of current velocities over transverse and longitudinal sections is always very similar to that shown.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
