HYDROGRAPHY OF THE MARINE WATERS 59 



The total acreage thus restricted is relatively small; yet specific localities 

 are affected considerably. The damage to the fisheries is not great. The 

 condition does not ruin areas for fish life; furthermore, oysters grown in 

 polluted waters can be transplanted elsewhere for purification before harvest. 

 The addition of important nutrients as a result of pollution is probably small 

 and of minor significance. 



The subject of pollution would not be complete without mentioning pulp 

 mill wastes in relation to the spawning and survival of anadromous fish, 

 particularly shad. This has developed into an acute question in the lower 

 Roanoke River. Strong accusations have been directed at the pulp mill 

 activity and strong defense statements have been made in reply. The problem 

 is being given some study and merits considerably more. It would be pre- 

 mature to discuss it further here, especially since, with the legal proceedings 

 involved, one finds it impossible to obtain much of the pertinent information 

 at this time. 



Wind, Waves, and Weather 



Little can be said here that is beyond the realm of common knowledge. 

 The inland waters seldom present conditions too rough for reasonably able 

 small craft, but offshore, particularly in the region of Cape Hatteras, condi- 

 tions are frequently quite severe. ^^ Many accounts and explanations of the 

 latter are a bit fantastic, such as the theory of a consistently strong wind or 

 current from the north bucking the opposing Gulf Stream flow from the south. 

 The actual conditions are nothing more than one would expect in considering 

 features already described in this chapter. A review of this might well start 

 by mentioning the strong Florida Current (Figure 2) flowing northeastward 

 just off the Capes. The non-wind counter currents that might buck this are 

 ill defined, weak, and evidently quite irregular (see section on Circulation 

 Offshore). Winds and wind currents that might buck it are also irregular but 

 sometimes constitute strong opposing forces (Figures 4 and 26). Opposing 

 currents of this sort are common off land prominences which in turn are often 

 characterized by rough water. Off Hatteras this common condition is far more 

 pronounced than usual and the severity is greatly augmented by the irregular 

 shallows (Figure 7) which tend to turn long swells and waves into sharper 

 ones and even into breakers. Add to all this the heavy shipping and fishing 

 that passes or centers around this Cape and its reputation for wrecks is 



28. The following quotation from the Supplement to the U. S. Coast Pilot (1945) describes 

 expected results: "It has been found that with easterly winds, and particularly northeast winds, 

 the Gulf Stream becomes very rough. A fresh northeast breeze causes as much sea in the Gulf 

 Stream as is ordinarily produced by a moderate gale. Easterly winds appear to drive the warm 

 surface waters of the Gulf Stream frequently many miles inshore of the average limits, and 

 westerly winds appear to move the western limit of the Gulf Stream offshore. 



