Abstract: This study seeks to explore the ability of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulation approach for resolving two-dimensional (2D) gravity currents on fine computational meshes. A 2D URANS equations closed by a buoyancy-modified k-ε turbulence model are integrated in time with a second-order fractional step approach coupled with a direct implicit method and discretized in space on a staggered mesh using a second-order accurate finite volume approach incorporating a high resolution semi-Lagrangian technique for the convective terms. A series of 2D simulations are carried out for gravity currents from both discontinuous and continuous sources. Comparisons with experimental measurements show that 2D URANS simulations in conjunction with sufficiently high grid resolution can capture overall features of the gravity currents including the evolution of the Kelvin-Helmholtz interfacial vortices and the propagation of the energy conserving current head with reasonable accuracy.