Current Results 



Currents were measured in the inlet throat and on the outer edge of the ebb shoal, at 

 Sites B and C (see Figure 3). During the three periods of interest, current data were only 

 available for July and August 1996. The north/south and east/west components of these 

 currents are shown in Figures 54-57. Positive values indicate north and east for each 

 component. During the 12 July storm (Julian Day 195), the north-south component of the 

 current at the inlet gauge (Figure 54) flowed southward, indicating the wind and 

 wave-driven alongshore current for about 2 days. During a typical tidal cycle, peak inlet 

 throat currents reached approximately 0.8 m/sec, but current speed was measured as 

 strong as 1 .3 m/sec during the spring tide on 29 August (Julian Day 242, Figure 55). In 

 general, the currents at this location exhibit ebb dominance. 



Currents measured at the ebb shoal gauge are reduced in magnitude as compared with 

 those measured at the inlet throat. In addition, on the ebb shoal, the north-south and 

 east-west components are generally of equal magnitude; whereas in the inlet throat, the 

 current was directed predominantly along an east-west axis (aligned with the inlet). 

 During the storm of 12 July (Julian Day 195), the ebb shoal data showed a strong current 

 reaching 1 .2 m/sec toward the south and comparatively unorganized current motion in the 

 east-west component (Figure 56). This signal indicates a strong southward wave-driven 

 flow that dominated the current and suppressed the tidal current through the inlet. Two 

 other south flowing events occurred in August (Figure 57). 



48 Chapter 3 Example Results and Discussion 



