To date most Canadian oceanographic studies in the Pacific have 

 been located in the coastal regions and the inland seawaj's, and in con- 

 sequence have been primarily concerned with the influence of fresh water 

 in the sea, and related phenomena. 



The Fraser River Project 



The influence and limits of the Fraser River in the sea has been the 

 subject of investigation by Canadian and United States oceanographers 

 for the past twenty years. These include the studies by the University 

 of British Columbia, the University of Washington, the Pacific Biological 

 Station, and the Canadian Navy. These data are being consoHdated 

 into a coherent digest b}' the Oceanographic Laboratories at the Univer- 

 sity of Washington and the Pacific Oceanographic Group. 



The Fraser River outflow system contains one of the wealthier fisheries 

 of the Pacific coast, and is the subject of considerable fisheries research. 

 Further, the system provides a wide variety of oceanographic conditions 

 with virtual temperature gradients representative of Arctic, Temperate, 

 and Tropical seas. As such, it is of primary importance as a region for 

 naval underwater research. 



It was found that the Fraser River spreads out in Georgia Strait, 

 most of the water moving anti-clockwise around that basin, mixing with 

 the undertying sea-water en route. It passes to the sea, through a 



RIVER 

 INFLUENCE 



Fraser River Ixfluence 



179 



