MODEL VALIDATION
TELEMAC2D was validated against the field data (Chen, 2012) over the period from 17:00 26th to 20:00 27th, March, 2009 for typical spring tides and from 9:00 4th to 12:00 5th, March, 2009 for neap tides. The comparisons of the computed tidal elevations and current velocities with the measurements at the Lvsi tidal gauge location and the current measuring location #4 are shown in Figures 3 & 4 respectively, while the locations of the measurements are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that in general the results show a good agreement between the model predictions and the field data. The tides at the study area are mainly controlled by the progressive wave from the East China Sea, as the tidal orbits show that the main tidal flow direction is aligned with the axis of the Xiaohongmiao Channel (not shown here). Close examination of the tidal levels shown in Figure 3 indicates that the computed water levels agree better during the flood phase than those during the ebb phase for spring tides. For neap tides, the agreement is generally better for both phases. As shown in Figure 4, the agreement between the computed tidal velocities with the measurements is generally good, but the results indicate that for spring tides, there is a small discrepancy in current direction, as the V component of the flow velocity is slightly under-predicted. However, for neap tides, the agreement for both the velocity magnitude and phase is satisfactory. The results, nevertheless, show that the model has been set up correctly, and the parameters are adequately used. More importantly, the tidal elevations imposed along the open boundary, which was done through a user function, have worked properly and satisfactorily.