Ocean Sciences|Research activities|Monitoring Southern BC Coastal Waters

Pacific Region Ocean Sciences Research Activities

Monitoring Southern BC Coastal Waters

CCGS Vector

The Strait of Georgia is a large semi-enclosed basin on the southern coast of British Columbia. The main connection to the Pacific is to the south, through Juan de Fuca Strait. Abundant freshwater discharge, mainly from the Fraser River, forces an estuarine exchange with oceanic shelf water. The resulting circulation is modulated by tides and winds. Both the coastal wind stress and the flux of freshwater are subject to strong seasonal modulations, producing a marked seasonal cycle in the water properties of the region.

Sampling Stations

Since 1999, a series of about 73 stations, extending from the mouth of Juan de Fuca Strait up to the northern end of the Strait of Georgia, are visited seasonally. Most of the data used in this study have been collected with the CCGS Vector. CTD profiles are taken at each station and water samples collected at a subset of stations.

Each year, four surveys are preferentially done during periods of (1) low winter discharge (December), (2) early freshet (April), (3) peak freshet (June), and (4) end of freshet period (September). In addition, longer term historical data sets collected in the central Strait of Georgia and in Juan de Fuca Strait are also used to help determine the observed seasonal variability of the system.

Within the Strait of Georgia, the central basin reaches large depth of over 400 m. The circulation within this deep basin is limited due to the presence of shallow sills on both ends of the Strait. However, occasionally, the deep water is renewed by deep water intrusions entering the strait from the sill areas.

Some early results from the program are described in Water properties in the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca.

For more information on the sampling program, contact Diane Masson.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Pacific Region

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Updated: 2008-12-11