Investigations of surface roughness length modification in Black Rock City, Nevada

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate changes to the surface roughness length (z₀) and zero-plane displacement height (z_d) in Black Rock City, Nevada (BRC) during the Burning Man festival in 2013. The surface parameters are estimated using both anemometric and morphometric methods. Estimated z₀ values were much larger than a typical playa surface but remained smaller than a typical urban or suburban area. Anemometric methods result in large scatter, but generate reasonable results. Removal of slightly-unstable periods lowers scatter and improves reasonableness of observational estimates of z_d. Morphometric estimates predict an early peak in z₀ and an increase in z_d throughout the event. Based on these results, this morphometric approach appears valid for use in BRC or other temporary cities.