A numerical model of continental shelf-silled fjord coupled systems was constructed motivated by the great range of oxic and anoxic fjord deep water conditions, and bottom water renewal processes found in silled estuaries. The model is a cross-sectional, time dependent, non-linear, finite-difference model that includes friction, stratification and topography but assumes no longshore propagation or advection. While the model is of a general nature, this study considers a specific case of a high latitude subarctic fjord opening on to the Gulf of Alaska shelf. The experiments simulating fjord circulation focus on bottom water renewal, include modeling the inflow of denser shelf water over the sill into the fjord basin by both static (initial conditions) and dynamic processes (freshwater inflow and long-fjord winds inside the fjord, and longshore winds on the adjacent shelf). The results of the modeling experiments suggest that Coriolis force should be considered in modeling narrow fjord basins. Winds within the fjord are important in the surface circulation but in the statified case, have little effect on deep circulation. The effect of freshwater inflow to Resurrection Bay is shown to be minimal. Meteorological forcing of hydrographic conditions on the adjacent shelf (coastal upwelling and downwelling) greatly affects fjord wide circulation, especially bottom water circulation and renewal. The results suggest that deep-water renewal is nearly continuous year around although the driving forces (e.g. wind driven coastal upwelling and downwelling) and associated results (e.g. variations in hydrography) are strongly seasonal. Comparison of hydrographic, meteorological and current data from the Resurrection Bay-continental shelf system with the model results show agreement.