Accuracy of surface current velocity measurements obtained from HF radar in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas

Surface current mapping by means of high frequency radar is an operational oceanographic tool. Researchers have identified the basic sources of error associated with this technology. Further research evaluating errors relating to the HF radar system and corresponding algorithms can facilitate coastal environment data assimilation. Uncertainty due to two sources of error is studied to obtain a more complete accuracy of the HF radar-measured total surface current velocity vectors. The error sources include geometry of the two station HF radar system and limits of the deep-water wave assumption of the algorithm that calculates current velocity from the HF radar signal. The latter is of particular interest to our work in a shallow environment such as Corpus Christi Bay. Water depths in portions of this and other Texas bays will push the limits of the deep-water assumption for the wavelengths of interest. A map of Corpus Christi Bay illustrating quantified GDOP for each point on the radar grid and an applicable matrix transformation that accounts for error due to the deep water wave assumption. The deep water assumption error is quantified and shown to be minimal for depths as shallow as one meter