Berger RC2010-02-152010-02-151992 199http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/23049-The effects of the enlargement of the Houston Ship Channel through Galveston Bay have been evaluated through a series of models and methods. The final model will be linked to an oyster (Crassostrea virginica ) population dynamics model to determine the effect of channel enlargement on the oyster populations of Galveston Bay. The hydrodynamic and salinity regimes, that are the primary input for each subsequent model, are provided by a 3-dimensional finite element program. A description of this model, its verification and the evaluation of the channel enlargement will be presented. The changes in the flow and salinity field associated with the channel enlargement and the lessons learned for this application will be discussedASW,USA,Texas,Galveston Baybay dynamicschannel flowcoastal engineeringCrassostreaCrassostrea virginicaEnvironmental impactEvaluationfinite element methodGalveston BayHydrodynamicsmathematical modelsmodelsnatural populationsoyster fisheriespopulation dynamicsPopulationsQ1 01442 Population dynamicsQ1 01583 Shellfish cultureQ1 01601 GeneralQ2 02170 Nearshore dynamicsQ3 01583 Shellfish cultureQ5 01521 Mechanical and natural changesSalinityUSACONF