Spatial and temporal variability of currents at the Orange County Sanitation District outfall

A yearlong project utilized a 300 kHz RDI ADCP to collect and analyze ocean current data in the nearshore region surrounding the outfall site of Orange County Sanitation District. Monthly cruises created 3-dimensional snapshots of the circulation in the study area. Results from the project revealed a strongly non-homogenous circulation in both the horizontal and vertical. Distinctive circulation modes were observed with primary current direction being contour parallel. Persistent, near-bottom onshore flow was observed during an upwelling event. The study could not determine a seasonal pattern to circulation.