Coastal CTD and Current Data from Washington and Oregon, 1982

NOAA Ship McARTHUR collected this oceanographic data during a circulation survey of Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor from May to July 1982. The dataset includes CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) and current meter measurements, though salinities and times are explicitly noted as absent. Data collection was part of NOAA Operation #OPR-N-802-AR-82 using Aanderaa RCM4 and PLESSEY/APPLIED MICROSYSTEM instruments.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical water column structure based on CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) data.
• Study coastal circulation patterns based on current meter measurements.
• Model estuary dynamics in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor based on the described survey.
• Benchmark long-term changes in coastal water properties based on 1982 baseline data.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated NOAA circulation survey (Operation #OPR-N-802-AR-82).
• Specific instrument models (Aanderaa RCM4, PLESSEY 9041, APPLIED MICROSYSTEM #12) are documented.
• Clear temporal (May-July 1982) and spatial (Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, Washington/Oregon coastal waters) boundaries are defined.

Limitations

• Salinities and times are explicitly noted as not included in this dataset.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last updated 1982-07-21; freshness should be verified for modern applications.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI, originally from the National Ocean Service, Rockville, MD.

Collection Method

Collected via ship-based survey using Aanderaa RCM4 current meter and PLESSEY/APPLIED MICROSYSTEM CTDs.

Time Range

1982-05-25 to 1982-07-21

Freshness

1982-07-21

Geography

Coastal waters of Washington and Oregon, specifically Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.