The Physical Oceanography of Narragansett Bay1

Abstract

Analyses of pertinent data from various physical oceanographic programs carried out in Narragansett Bay are presented in an effort to give a useful description of tidal characteristics, temperature and salinity distributions, and the nontidal circulation. The observed tides and tidal currents are shown to be the result of a standing tidal wave with a slight progressive component and a damping coefficient of 1.6. Both temperature and salinity distributions indicate essentially homogeneous bottom water in the upper part of the Bay as contrasted with the surface layer which possesses marked progressive changes over the same area. One direct measurement and the salinity distribution seem to confirm the nontidal circulation calculations which are based on river run‐off, surface nontidal currents, and cross sectional areas. Narragansett Bay appears to be an estuary in which the salt balance is maintained, under steady state conditions, by horizontal advection, vertical advection, and vertical eddy diffusion.