PART IV: CURRENTS 



41. 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, while waves dominate within the surf 

 zone. 



Observations 



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

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

 tion 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 



43. Figure 24 shows the daily 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, direc- 

 tion 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. Annual 

 mean currents are presented in Table 15 and in Figures 25 through 27. 



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