How to Measure the Coastal Currents of Beverwijk

1. Where is Beverwijk?

Beverwijk is a coastal municipality in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands on the North Sea coast. Its geographical position at the west coast of the Netherlands has established a centuries - old and complex relationship with the sea, which has made a profound influence on its development, economy, and daily life of its inhabitants.

Beverwijk is well equipped with a rich history. It has evolved from a small fishing village to a prosperous town with a successful maritime past. Beverwijk's architecture accommodates its seafront and layers of history. Traditional Dutch houses with unique features are scattered in the center of the town. They boast red - brick facades, steep roofs, and large windows, exuding a quintessential Dutch charm. The beach has up-to-date amenities like marinas and industrial parks for the accommodation of fishing and shipping. Along the major roads are up-to-date shopping centers, cafes, and cultural institutions serving the locals as well as the tourists.

Beverwijk people have a special connection to the sea. Fishing has been a long-established occupation that has been handed from generation to generation. Although the intensity of commercial fishing has reduced, some local fishermen still operate from the harbour, bringing in catches such as herring, mackerel, and flatfish. The sea also plays an important role in tourism. The town's beaches receive tourists for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Additionally, proximity to the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site draws nature enthusiasts interested in bird watching and seal watching.

The sea beaches and waters adjacent to Beverwijk are vitally important for the regional ecology. The coastal waters of the North Sea along this part support a variety of marine organisms. Seals tend to inhabit coastal waters frequently, and the bottom of the coastal waters is extensively complex, composed of sandy sites, mud flats, and tidal channels underwater. These environments supply habitats to countless species such as fish, crustaceans, and birds which migrate through there. The coastal region is also a nursery ground for many aquatic creatures, further increasing the area's biodiversity.

2. What's the Coastal Currents' Situation Near Beverwijk?

Coastal currents around Beverwijk are subjected to several forces. One such significant force is tidal action. The North Sea experiences semi - diurnal tides, two highs and two lows daily. The tidal range can be up to 2 meters, and the tidal currents produced by this can be as fast as 2 - 3 knots in narrow channels or off headlands. During high tide, water flows into the coastal area with nutrients and sediments suitable for sea life. During low tide, extensive mudflats are exposed, providing a place of feeding for birds and other animals.

Wind is also a significant contributor. Dominant southwest winds can generate strong onshore currents, forcing surface water inshore. The winds also create waves that work together with the currents, generating complex flow patterns. In contrast, northerly winds can force water offshore, affecting sediment and nutrient distribution. The North Holland coast topography, which consists of gently sloping beaches and the position of Texel Strait in the northern part, decides the direction and magnitude of the currents. The sandbars and shoals underwater also form the current flow, creating areas of still water and turbulent eddies.

3. How to Observe the Beverwijk Coastal Water Flow?

Surface Drifting Buoy Method

Surface-drifting buoys are a simple gadget for measuring surface currents in the Beverwijk area. With GPS or satellite tracking devices, buoys are launched on the water and carried by the currents. By following their journey over a period of time, researchers can make approximations of the speed and direction of surface - level flow. The disadvantage of this technique is that it is limited to the top water column and cannot record deeper flows regulated by temperature and salinity gradients.

Moored Current Meter Technique

In the moored current meter technique, instruments such as electromagnetic or acoustic Doppler current meters are deployed at fixed stations to measure currents at different depths. This technique provides continuous vertical current profile observations but is only applicable at limited places and is affected by local turbulence or by equipment interference.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Technique

ADCPs are typically used for full current measurement in the area around Beverwijk. They emit sound waves to measure water velocity through the entire water column. By Doppler shift measurement of backscattered signals from suspended particles, ADCPs generate high-resolution velocity profiles from the seafloor to the surface. The non-intrusive method is appropriate for the definition of complex coastal current systems and the investigation of vertical flow patterns.

4. What is necessary for High-Quality Measurement of Beverwijk Coastal Currents?

Tough Materials for the Equipment

Beverwijk requires high-quality current measurement to withstand the abrasive environment of the North Sea. Titanium alloy housing is suitable for ADCPs since it is corrosion-proof, strong enough to support high currents, and able to withstand impacts from floating material. This ensures prolonged reliable deployment in the harsh sea environment.

Low - Power and Compact Design

Small and lightweight ADCPs are required for easy deployment on small boats or buoys. Low power allows for longer autonomous running time, highly beneficial for long - term observation studies. Economical methods also enable large - scale deployments at many locations, giving greater spatial coverage and improved accuracy of data.

5. How to Choose the Right Equipment for Current Measurement?

Based on Application

• Shipborne ADCP: Ideal for mapping currents transect or navigation, with real-time data for oceanographic research or shipping route optimization.
• Bottom - Mounted ADCP: Ideal for long-term seabed current monitoring, essential for sediment transport and ecosystem dynamics research.
• Buoy - Mounted ADCP: Ideal for surface current monitoring over large areas, useful in coastal circulation patterns and pollution dispersion studies.

Based on Water Depth

• 600kHz ADCP: Suitable for shallow water between 70 meters, with high-resolution measurements in the nearshore sections of Beverwijk.
• 300kHz ADCP: Suitable for a medium depth of 110 meters, best for measuring currents within the Texel Strait and offshore areas nearby.
• 75kHz ADCP: For use in deep water, providing data on deeper currents or channels, though less frequently needed in Beverwijk's comparatively shallow coastal waters.

Quality ADCP manufacturers like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek offer cost-effective solutions. For budget-conscious users, ADCP supplier China Sonar PandaADCP of all-titanium alloy is a low-cost option without sacrificing quality. You can learn more from it at (https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.