longshore currents and the Coriolis effect which, due to the earth's rotation, 

 tends to deflect currents to the right (clockwise) (Chermock 1974). 



Tidal currents in Alabama estuaries are of the reversing or rectilinear 

 type. The flood current flows into the estuaries for about 6 h and the ebb 

 current flows out for about 6 h. Between these two phases there is a slack 

 period when the currents generate no movement. The strengths of these 

 currents varies with the moon's angle of declination (Chermock 1974). Fresh 

 water discharges from streams flowing into Alabama estuaries influence the 

 tidal flows by increasing the ebb current and decreasing the flood current in 

 proportion to the stream discharge. Shoreline configurations deflect or 

 funnel current flows according to the flow direction. Since shoreline 

 configurations are constantly changing (on a geological time scale), current 

 patterns also tend to change. Water levels and currents can be influenced by 

 winds according to their velocity, direction, and duration. For example, 

 strong south winds tend to pile water at the head of Mobile Bay, while north 

 winds decrease the water level. 



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