This image depicts the surface ocean currents in the Strait of Georgia, measured during a strong ebb tide. The currents, averaged over an hour, were measured using a CODAR (Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar) system. The VENUS CODAR system consists of two antennae, one at the Iona Wastewater Treatment plant, near Vancouver Airport, the other at the Westshore Coal Terminal, near the BC Ferries port at Tsawwassen. These are labelled in the image as “VION” and “VCOL”, respectively.
There is a generally southward trend to the currents, as would be expected during an ebb tide. For the most part, the currents are between about 30 and 60 cm/s, but there is a handful of current arrows indicating westward flows of upwards of 90 cm/s. The direction and position of these currents suggest that they represent outflow from the Fraser river.