FY 1986

On the Alaska Coastal Current in the western Gulf of Alaska

Schumacher, J.D., and R.K. Reed

J. Geophys. Res., 91(C8), doi: 10.1029/JC091iC08p09655, 9655–9661 (1986)

Analyses of wind, adjusted sea level, temperature, salinity, and current data show that the Alaska Coastal Current (ACC) flows generally westward from Shelikof Strait to the Shumagin Islands. The seasonal nature of the ACC in the western Gulf of Alaska is similar to that in the northern gulf, but minimum salinity, maximum current speeds, and changes in baroclinic transport are less extreme to the west. Southwest of Shelikof Strait the ACC apparently is bifurcated by the bathymetry. One branch continues flowing along the Alaska Peninsula, and the other flows south. The southward flowing branch may rejoin the westward flowing one in the sea valley just east of the Shumagin Islands.