Executive Summary This project revisited 93 previously measured canals in Venice, and analyzed the changes that have occurred in the past ten years. The 1990’s project teams from WPI conducted comprehensive measurements of all the canals’ hydrodynamics. Over the last decade, speculation and discussion have been raised among Venetians and scientists on the possible changes of canal currents. This project was intended to study the behaviors of the overall water movement in order to address the rumors. In the course of eight weeks, we performed over 1650 measurements during a new and full moon period.
Figure 1 - Maps Depicting 1990's Area of Study (Left) and 2011 Area of Study (Right)
The methodology of the past WPI hydrodynamic projects was followed for consistency. The speeds and directions of canal segments were measured and compared to the data compiled in 1999.
Figure 2 - Speed Change Compared to 1990's during Incoming Tide
Between incoming and outgoing tides, the incoming tides showed more changes in speed. Most of the canal segments did not change their directions from 1999 to 2011; however, with the study focus in Cannaregio, a pattern of canal flow change was discovered. The outer canal speed of Cannaregio had increased when the inner canals experienced speed decrease.
Figure 3 - Map Depicting the Changes on Grand Canal during Incoming Tide
Along with speed decrease of canals connecting between middle and west entrance of the Grand Canal, the change in canal SCOM of west Venice was then investigated. These changes provide evidence towards the idea that the water has been entering from the west
entrance of the Grand Canal, which indicated a relative high water level during incoming tide.
Figure 4 - Map Depicting the Change of Grand Canal
When studying the western opening of the Grand Canal, we observed a clear change of direction in area between the Tronchetto and Canal de Cannaregio. This phenomenon, along with the increasing speed of the Canal de Cannaregio, further supports the theory of water entering from the west of the city.
Figure 5 - Tidal Model Result
Besides conducted fieldwork and analysis, the project managed to collaborate closely with ISMAR in order to re-activate the finite element model developed by Ph.D Georg Umgiesser and Ph.D Elisa Coraci in 1997. Due to the tidal model’s reliance on water level change, we updated the canal bathymetry in order to ensure that the model can reflect the change of water movement over time. The tidal model also required actual water levels and velocities of canals to calibrate the forcing factors in the modeling equations. In a compiled data package that we have delivered to ISMAR, the new bathymetry, water levels, velocities, and tide gauges data during days of fieldwork had applied to simulation purposes. The model could shed some lights on the canal flow comparison and analysis. In order to make all collected data and comparison accessible to the world, all the data related to canal hydrodynamics were uploaded to Venepedia, an online wiki dedicated to Venice developed by WPI students. Each canal has an article that entails its location, past and new velocities. This method of data storage may be applied and extended to a programmed database for future projects.
Figure 6 - Suggested Area of Study
Even though our team accomplished a large amount of fieldwork during this term, there is still much more to be done. We recommend this project to be continued and that the remaining 25 segments are measured and analyzed. The future team should look more closely into the flow of the Grand Canal. Also, they should look at the flow of the
Guidecca Canal and see what effect it has on the south west of the city. They should revisit and analyze the three areas of interest: shortcut in the Dorsoduro Area, Sestiere de Cannaregio, and the area in Castello between the northern lagoon and the southern opening of the Grand Canal. Finally, the team should look into creating a mobile application to make data compiling and analyzing easier.