PART IV: CURRENTS 



44. Surface current speed and direction at the FRF are influenced by 

 winds, waves, and, indirectly, by the bottom topography. The extent of the 

 respective influence varies daily. However, winds tend to dominate the cur- 

 rents at the seaward end of the pier, whereas waves dominate within the surf 

 zone . 



Observations 



45. Near 0700 EST, daily observations of surface current speed and 

 direction were made at (a) the seaward end of the pier, (b) the midsurf 

 position on the pier, and (c) 10 to 15 m from the beach 500 m updrift of the 

 pier. Surface currents were determined by observing the movement of dye on 

 the water surface . 



Results 



46. Annual mean and mean currents for 1980 through 1990 are presented 

 in Table 6 and in Figure 16. Figure 16 shows the daily and average annual 

 measurements at the beach, pier midsurf, and pier end locations. Since the 

 relative influences of the winds and waves vary with position from shore, the 

 current speeds and, to some extent, direction vary at the beach, midsurf, and 

 pier end locations. Magnitudes generally are largest at the midsurf location 

 and lowest at the end of the pier. 



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