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 influences 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 1991 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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