Drift Bottle Observations in the Strait of Georgia

Drift bottle observations were carried out in the Strait of Georgia during the summers of 1926–1929. A total of 1,636 bottles was released of which 672 were recovered, giving an over-all return of 41%.No consistent pattern of drift in the strait as a whole could be clearly drawn from the recoveries. Some consistency of circulation in local areas can be inferred from the net drift of bottles.Winds dominated drift bottle movements in the open strait, where tidal currents are weak. A general northwestward drift was noted from releases along the eastern side of the strait and a southeastward drift along the western side. This suggests a large counterclockwise circulation of surface water over the whole strait. A smaller gyral circulating in the same direction is apparent in the southern strait, south of a line from Sand Heads to Active Pass.A strong surface current is directed from the Fraser River estuary across the strait to the passes among the Gulf Islands. This seaward flow of fresh water is augmented by a strong seaward tidal current during large ebb tides.Tidal currents are strong with definite periodicities in the channels bordering the strait. Current speeds of more than 26 cm./sec. (0.5 knot) were calculated from data on drift bottles whose drift was of brief duration. Average speed of drift was about 10 cm./sec. (0.2 knot).