  We derive upper bounds for the number of asymptotic degrees (determining
modes and nodes) of freedom for the two-dimensional Navier--Stokes system and
Navier-Stokes system with damping. In the first case we obtain the previously
known estimates in an explicit form, which are larger than the fractal
dimension of the global attractor. However, for the Navier--Stokes system with
damping our estimates for the number of the determining modes and nodes are
comparable to the sharp estimates for the fractal dimension of the global
attractor. Our investigation of the damped-driven 2D Navier--Stokes system is
inspired by the Stommel--Charney barotropic model of ocean circulation where
the damping represents the Rayleigh friction. We remark that our results
equally apply to the Stommel--Charney model.
