The Characteristics of Tidal Current and Water Mass in the Narrow Channel 1. Tidal Current and Water mass in the Chungmu Channel

협수로의 수리 특성과 수괴구조 1. 충무수로의 조류와 수괴구조

The flow pattern and water mass structure in the Chungmu channel were investigated using the field observations during June and July, 2001. The currents in the channel may be regarded as a hydraulic current decided by difference of tide levels between two sides in the channel. The strongest current in the channel occurs around in high water and low water. The coefficient C to be determined the characteristics of velocity in the channel was obtained from an equation, $u=C{\sqrt{2gh}}$ and ranges from 0.37 to 0.65 in the Chungmu Channel at the spring tide and from 0.23 to 0.37 at the neap tide. Eastward tidal transport is usually larger than that of westward transport in Chungmu the Channel. Sea water exchange rates are 39.2% in spring tide and 20.5% in neap tide respectively. The water mass structure in the channel is changed by the speed of the tidal current. The water mass is well mixed at the high water when the current is strong and is stratified at slack water when the current is weak.