The numerical grid representing the domain had over 100,000 computational points, that is, 5 layers in the vertical, 211 points in the along-shelf direction and 95 in the across-shelf direction. The grid spacing in the horizontal plane were 2 km x 2 km throughout, while the vertical grid spacing varied according to the depth (sigma representation). For example, depths near the coast were of the order of 5 - 10 m, thus the vertical grid spacing would be 1 - 2 m respectively.

Model Data

3-Hourly Wind data was obtained from the Mackay weather station (just south of model domain) for the period 1966-1991, and from the AIMS weather station for the period 1992-1996. Daily discharge data from the Burdekin River obtained from the Queensland Water Resources Commission was used. Tidal influences were included implicitly via the mixing parameters based on the work of King and Wolanski (1996). Thus these data can be applied to the model to simulate any of the major flood events of the Burdekin River of the last 30 years.