MSN/RiDem <RiDem_at_email.msn.com> wrote: ...There is a freeware program call XTide.... I checked out this program and it looks good for tides. But from the little I know about currents, being a newbie, I understand that around islands and such the currents may not be so easily decerned simply from the tide table. For instance, I live in Brooklyn, NY, and plan to paddle around the local area. Brooklyn is at the western end of a large island (Long Island, ~120 miles x ~20 miles). Then there is Manhatten Island which has the Hudson River flowing south on it's west side, open to the ocean to the south, and open to Long Island Sound over to the east but those currents are diverted by the relatively small Randall's island. And Staten Island is here also. So the tides may be coming from different directions at slightly or more than slightly different times plus the effects of the river. So now how does one figure out the currents? I've heard the currents around some of the necked down parts can hit 8 knots and form whirlpools. Is it just a matter of gaining lo! cal knowledge? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Tom wrote: > MSN/RiDem wrote: ...There is a freeware program call XTide.... > I checked out this program and it looks good for tides. But from the little I know about currents, being a newbie, I understand that around islands and such the currents may not be so easily decerned simply from the tide table. [snip] So now how does one figure out the currents? I've heard the currents around some of the necked down parts [in LIS] can hit 8 knots and form whirlpools. Is it just a matter of gaining local knowledge? Yes and no. NOAA has current stations as well as tide stations. If the area you want to paddle has current stations where you need to know them, you are set. If not, then some variation of "local knowledge" will have to substitute. Caveat: even the NOAA data is sometimes off significantly, owing to second-order effects (not handled in the current algorithm), and to variables not included in the NOAA algorithm. E.g., the variation in flow of a river where it enters the estuary. Here (Columbia River, OR/WA), what happens at the first dam above tidewater affects currents a lot near the dam and somewhat even a hundred miles below the dam. Talk to other mariners and see what they do in your area. Note: a more complete, easier to use program is an (expensive) commercial one sold by Nobeltec: http://www.tides.com/ -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR no affiliation with Nobeltec *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Tom, The NOAA folks have also set up a Real Time current system for selected ports and waterways around the U.S. New York/New Jersey area is one of those areas. You can see charts of recorded vs. projected readings for the past three days and other features. Check it out at: http://co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/nyports/nyports.html Hopefully you'll be hearing also from those with applied local knowledge. Natalie Wiest Galveston TX Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 11:07 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Translating Tides Into Currents Around Islands and Estuaries > MSN/RiDem <RiDem_at_email.msn.com> wrote: ...There is a freeware program call XTide.... > > I checked out this program and it looks good for tides. But from the little I know about currents, being a newbie, I understand that around islands and such the currents may not be so easily decerned simply from the tide table. For instance, I live in Brooklyn, NY, and plan to paddle around the local area. Brooklyn is at the western end of a large island (Long Island, ~120 miles x ~20 miles). Then there is Manhatten Island which has the Hudson River flowing south on it's west side, open to the ocean to the south, and open to Long Island Sound over to the east but those currents are diverted by the relatively small Randall's island. And Staten Island is here also. So the tides may be coming from different directions at slightly or more than slightly different times plus the effects of the river. So now how does one figure out the currents? I've heard the currents around some of the necked down parts can hit 8 knots and form whirlpools. Is it just a matter of gaining lo! > ! > cal knowledge? > > > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Tom <tombrooklyn_at_yahoo.com> Wrote: >I checked out this program and it looks good for tides. > But from the little I know about currents, being a newbie, I > understand that around islands and such the currents may not be so > easily decerned simply from the tide table. snip.... Tom, We are lucky in New York in that the Eldridge Tide and Pilot book contains some easy to read charts and graphs relating the current to the tide. This book is available at local Kayak stores. The book is just an prediction, heavy rain upstate, and wind can drastically effect things but it is a good starting point. But do be careful the currents are often severe, the East River is especially treacherous. A good place to meet local paddlers is the downtown boathouse, www.downtownboathouse.org. Tim Gamble *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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