BOTTOM-CURRENT MEASUREMENTS AND CIRCULATION IN WESTERN-PORT, VICTORIA

Bottom-water movements in Western Port, Victoria, were investigated as part of the Westernport Bay Environmental Study. Instrumented tripods were used at nine stations to collect data on bottom currents, tidal conditions and wave activity in the major channel system of the bay. Bottom currents generated by tides ranged up to 70 cm/sec. The ratio of tidal range to half-tidal period ( ΔH ΔT) was compared with measured currents to provide a basis for prediction of the annual frequency distribution of maximum bottom-current velocities. Flow directions do not always conform to channel alignments, and deviations are important. Net flows at the stations indicate patterns of ebb and flood dominance, and a clockwise net circulation around a large central island. Wave activity was generally insufficient to generate bottom pressure fluctuations, except in the exposed Western Entrance which opens to Bass Strait. © 1979.