Re: [Paddlewise] A question about ocean currents

Depth, features, etc all play into this and there is
no answer that applies across the board.

In most cases the current speed is one of the larger
factors so the comment about that (I forget who made
it) is probably right on target.

More food for thought:

I am not sure how constricted of an area you are
talking about, so the following may or may not be
relevent.

In whitewater paddling we look at flow and gradient. 
Basically the more flow the less gradient you can
handle and vice versa.  In extremely low volume
conditions (< 100cfs) a skilled creeker might be able
to paddle a 600 ft per mile or greater gradient.  In a
high volume situation it would be possible for a 30 ft
per mile run to be unrunnable.  Of course all this is
an over simplification, since there are many other
factors.

Another thing that happens is that a rapid may wash
out at a given level and then reappear with a vengance
at a still higher level.

There are places where there is a waterfall flowing
one way at one tide state, a waterfall flowing the
other way at another, and flat water at yet another. 
I have never witnessed this first hand but have seen
som impressive pictures of such a "reversing falls".

Sorry if all of this just muddies the water, but the
point is that there is no one correct answer except,
"it depends".

Pete


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************