Re: [Paddlewise] A question about ocean currents

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>

> It might be useful to set up the lawn chair on a high point and watch one
of
> your favorite turbulent spots throughout the middle of the ebb (or,
flood),
> and see what happens.

I am not certain that would work, although it would be fun especially with a
bottle of tequila and sangrita chasers to cozy up with.

The reason I say that it likely would not work is that there are so many
more variables involved in the water dynamics than just the straightforward
movement of water through the areas in questions in relationship to the
tides.  Even that "straightforward" movement is tricky enough because of the
bottom surface of the passages involved.  To all of this you have to add the
effects of wind, barometric pressure, any fresh water flow, phases of the
moon, relative location of the moon in its orbit (perigee vs. apogee).

I remember years ago, one local chap here who would go down to the waters
off the Battery (southern tip of Manhattan and therefore at the apex of
three pathways of water: the Hudson, the ocean and the East River, itself a
tidal estuary) and try to study patterns of movement compared to what the
tide and currents prediction tables said.  It was basically a fool's errand.
I have never seen the waters here do the same thing twice in relationship to
the prediction tables.  You sometimes think you have the patterns down to at
least a sense of tendencies, then the next time you are completely fooled
when the waters decide to do something else.

ralph diaz

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