Cape Breton Current 
The Cape Breton Current originates in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 
sets southeast in the southwestern half of Cabot Strait, and merges 
with the Labrador Current Extension. It may be augmented by a branch 
of the constant but tide influenced Gaspé Current to the northwest. 
The Cape Breton Current is constant, with 45 to 60 percent of all 
surface current observations in the saerraalling direction; mean speed 
is 0.7 knot, and maximum speed is between 1.5 and 2.0 knots. 
Storms cause the current to vary in direction or at times reverse 
for short periods. Direct observations between North Cape and St. Paul's 
Island obtained during 5 Bolder: period showed a consistent surface flow 
setting about 125°T at a mean speed of 0.6 knot; at a depth of 45 feet 
(14 meters) the speed was 0.5 knot, at 330 feet (101 meters) it was 
about 0.2 knot, and below this depth it decreased rapidly. 
The current appears to be influenced by the tide; observations have 
shown that current speeds often are higher during periods when an out- 
going ebb tidal current normally occurs. Conversely, the speed of the 
prevailing southeast-setting current may be retarded during periods of 
the ingoing flood tidal current. 
33 
