Movement of near-bottom waters on the continental shelf off the northwestern United States

Abstract

Recoveries of seabed drifters suggest a net northward movement of near-bottom waters on the continental shelf at depths >40 meters between the Columbia River and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Within 10 km of the river mouth and <70 km of the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, near-bottom waters are drawn into these estuarine systems. Near the coast (waters <40 meters deep), near-bottom water movements exhibit variable speed and direction with a predominant onshore component apparently controlled by wave action and wind-induced upwellings.