@article{xia_xie_pietrafesa_2010, title={Winds and the orientation of a coastal plane estuary plume}, volume={37}, ISSN={["0094-8276"]}, DOI={10.1029/2010gl044494}, abstractNote={Based on a calibrated coastal plane estuary plume model, ideal model hindcasts of estuary plumes are used to describe the evolution of the plume pattern in response to river discharge and local wind forcing by selecting a typical partially mixed estuary (the Cape Fear River Estuary or CFRE). With the help of an existing calibrated plume model, as described by Xia et al. (2007), simulations were conducted using different parameters to evaluate the plume behavior type and its change associated with the variation of wind forcing and river discharge. The simulations indicate that relatively moderate winds can mechanically reverse the flow direction of the plume. Downwelling favorably wind will pin the plume to the coasts while the upwelling plume could induce plume from the left side to right side in the application to CFRE. It was found that six major types of plumes may occur in the estuary and in the corresponding coastal ocean. To better understand these plumes in the CFRE and other similar river estuary systems, we also investigated how the plumes transition from one type to another. Results showed that wind direction, wind speed, and sometimes river discharge contribute to plume transitions.}, journal={GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS}, author={Xia, Meng and Xie, Lian and Pietrafesa, Leonard J.}, year={2010}, month={Oct} }
 @article{xia_xie_pietrafesa_peng_2008, title={A numerical study of storm surge in the Cape Fear River Estuary and adjacent coast}, volume={24}, ISSN={["1551-5036"]}, DOI={10.2112/06-0795.1}, abstractNote={Abstract The Cape Fear River Estuary (CFRE) region is a coastal domain that has experienced considerable threats and impacts from tropical cyclones. It is also an important nursery for juvenile fish, crabs, shrimp, and other biological species. Thus, predictions about the physical responses of the CFRE system to extreme weather events are important to the protection of life and property and to the economical well-being of local residents. In this study, the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) is used to simulate tropical cyclone storm–induced surge, inundation, and coastal circulation in the CFRE and the adjacent Long Bay using a three-level nesting approach. Hindcasts of the hydrodynamic responses of the CFRE system to historic events were performed for Hurricanes Fran, Floyd, Bertha, and Charley. Comparisons were also made for the modeling results and the observations.}, number={4C}, journal={JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH}, author={Xia, Meng and Xie, Lian and Pietrafesa, Leonard J. and Peng, Machuan}, year={2008}, pages={159–167} }
 @article{xia_xie_pietrafesa_2007, title={Modeling of the Cape Fear River Estuary plume}, volume={30}, ISSN={["1559-2731"]}, DOI={10.1007/BF02841966}, number={4}, journal={ESTUARIES AND COASTS}, author={Xia, Meng and Xie, Lian and Pietrafesa, Leonard J.}, year={2007}, month={Aug}, pages={698–709} }
 @article{pietrafesa_kelleher_karl_davidson_peng_bao_dickey_xie_liu_xia_2006, title={A new architecture for coastal inundation and flood warning prediction}, volume={40}, ISSN={["0025-3324"]}, DOI={10.4031/002533206787353205}, abstractNote={The marine atmosphere, coastal ocean, estuary, harbor and river water systems constitute a physically coupled system. While these systems have always been heavily impacted by coastal storms, increases in population density, infrastructure, and personal and business merchandise have
 exacerbated the economic and personal impacts of these events over the past half century. As such there has been increased focus on the need for more timely and accurate forecasts of impending events. Traditionally model forecast architectures for coastal storm surge, flooding and inundation
 of coastal and inland areas have taken the approach of dealing with each system separately: rivers, estuaries, harbors and offshore facing areas. However, given advances in coupled modeling and the availability of real-time data, the ability to accurately predict and project coastal, estuary
 and inland flooding related to the passage of high energy and wet atmospheric events is rapidly emerging and requires a new paradigm in system architecture. No longer do monthly averaged winds or river discharge or water levels have to be invoked in developing hindcasts for planning purposes
 or for real-time forecasts. In 1999 a hurricane associated flood on the North Carolina coast took 56 lives and caused more than $6 billion in economic impacts. None of the models existing at that time were able to properly forecast the massive flooding and clearly called for a new model
 paradigm. Here we propose a model system that couples atmospheric information to fully three dimensional, non-linear time dependent ocean basin, coastal and estuary hydrodynamic models coupled to interactive river models with input of real or modeled winds, observed or modeled precipitation,
 measured and modeled water levels, and streamflow. The river and estuarine components must both be capable of going into modes of storage or accelerated discharge. Spatial scales must downscale in the horizontal from thousands to tens meters and in the vertical from hundreds to several centimeters.
 Topography and elevation data should be of the highest resolution available, necessary for highly accurate predictions of the timing and location of the inundation and retreat of flood waters. Precipitation information must be derived from the optimal mix of direct radar, satellite and ground-based
 observations. Creating the capability described above will advance the modernization of hydrologic services provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and provide more accurate and timely forecasts and climatologies of coastal and estuary flooding. The goal of these
 climatologies and improved forecasts is to provide better information to local and regional planners, emergency managers, highway patrols and to improve the capacity of coastal communities to mitigate against the impacts of coastal flooding.}, number={4}, journal={MARINE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY JOURNAL}, author={Pietrafesa, L. J. and Kelleher, K. and Karl, T. and Davidson, M. and Peng, M. and Bao, S. and Dickey, D. and Xie, L. and Liu, H. and Xia, M.}, year={2006}, pages={71–77} }