The Gulf is a large and relatively shallow sea basin. The Gulf is a large and relatively shallow sea basin. Water movements in the Gulf are complex and driven by the tides, wind (storms) and water density differences. These processes affect larger-scale water circulation patterns in the Gulf and impact the coastlines and the marine environment.

Initial developments
Deltares has initially developed a two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model of the Gulf. This model was set up and extensively calibrated in 1994 and has been updated each time that new depth, water level or current measurements became available. The model computes the tidal and wind-induced water level elevations and currents for the entire Gulf at any pre-described period in time. The model is set up in Deltares’ hydrodynamic modelling package Delft3D-FLOW. For more information about the 2D Gulf Model click here.

Besides computing the water levels and currents, the model is used to compute the wave fields on basis of the input winds using the SWAN model software.

Recent developments
More recently, developments were made towards a three-dimensional (3D) version of the Gulf Model. With this model, the larger scale circulations and exchange flows that are relevant e.g. for Gulf-wide transport processes can be simulated. Developments to the 3D AGM are on-going, but already the model provides a useful basis for research projects in this field.

Open models and model community
Over the last years, the awareness rose that these models and knowledge enclosed in them are more valuable to the region if these can be used and further developed freely. This is why the Gulf Model Community was set up that aims to promote collaboration and dissemination of this knowledge and modelling tools throughout the region for all interested users. Several early adopters already successfully used and further developed the model and contributed their developments to the community. The contributing members of the community are displayed below.

You are very welcome to download and use the Gulf Models for your work and we hope that you would like to contribute to the knowledge and models in this community and in the Gulf region.