Posted by clee on September 15, 2002 at 18:08:38:
In Reply to: Re: also resudual of santa ana's posted by BCH DIVR on September 15, 2002 at 10:42:51:
OK...we normally have an onshore flow...when santa ana winds come in, they blow the "top" of the waves, or water in the opposite direction, or an "outward bound" direction. Thus there is water displacement. So, the water from depth flows up to keep the balance so to speak. Heavier sediments in the water are at the bottom (along with the sewage that is piped out off Huntington beach). Thus, these heavier sediments generally cause the lower visibility, and the water temp usually drops a few degrees as the water is colder at depth. This is also why often during santa ana's a lot of the beaches are closed from sewage contamination, as the water coming up from the ocean floor, also has this piped sewage, and thus you get the poor water quality. I noticed the beach water temps drop down to 55 in the last few weeks. Probably also due to the hurricane residuals and large waves stirring everything up.