Long-Term Tidal Water Level Measurements in Abu Dhabi Emirate

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates has a unique tidal system. Understanding the tidal hydrodynamics in Abu Dhabi waters is very important for the design of the hydraulic structures and in the marine environmental studies. The objective of this study is to investigate the tidal water levels and tidal motion in Abu Dhabi, making use of the long-term water levels available. To achieve the aim of the study, the National Energy and Water Research Center (NEWRC) of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority installed tidal gauges at different locations in Abu Dhabi waters to obtain long-term water level measurements. At present, long-term water level measurements for at least 3 years period are available at different locations in Abu Dhabi waters. Tidal analysis was carried out on the available data to determine the characteristics of the tidal wave in Abu Dhabi Emirate and to get the main tidal constituents affecting the tidal motion. The obtained tidal constituents are used in updating and improving the boundary conditions of the numerical hydrodynamic models simulating the flow pattern in Abu Dhabi waters. The set up of the water level measurement program in Abu Dhabi waters and the results of the tidal analysis are presented and discussed in the paper.