Exploring Hydrodynamic Patterns Using the Hydromast: Varna Port Case Study

Monitoring the hydrodynamic conditions in ports is critical for marine traffic management, infrastructure planning, and ecological assessment. This study focuses on experimental investigation of the flow behavior in a narrow channel connecting Lake Varna and the Black Sea in Varna Port, Bulgaria. Flow parameters were continuously sampled at three locations in the channel using a low-cost flow monitoring device Hydromast. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the in-situ flow measurements and analyze the driving factors of the flow dynamics in Port Varna and the underlying physical phenomena. This study offers insights that can contribute to a better understanding of the causes of currents in the port observed by the pilots, and can help to create accurate short-term forecasts of water flow patterns under varying conditions.