The Effect of the Prevailing Winds on the Inshore Water Masses of the Hecate Strait Region, B.C.

Abstract

Observations show that during the winter period of strong southeast winds, light surface waters accumulate along the coast, displacing the deeper waters offshore. During the summer period of weak southeast winds the accumulated surface waters move offshore allowing the return of the deep waters.The winter accumulation is accompanied by a northwestward-flowing coastal current which appears to be continuous from California to the Gulf of Alaska. During the summer this current is small or absent.It is noted that this seasonal change of water masses accounts for a major part of the observed sea level oscillation.It is suggested that the winter displacement of deep waters and their return affect the movement of bottom fish of the region.