Water Exchange and Circulation in Selected Kenyan Creeks.

Abstract

Tides, currents, salinities and temperatures were studied from 1995-1998 in three selected creeks on the Kenya coast (Gazi Bay, Tudor and Kilifi Creeks) in order to improve knowledge on circulation and water exchange between the creeks and the ocean. Locally available meteorological data, tide gauge data and historical cruise data were also analysed. A meteorological mast was used for detailed studies of sea surface heat fluxes. The studies were carried out focussing on the monsoon seasons; the Inter-Monsoon Long Rain (IMLR; April-May), the South East Monsoon (SEM; June-September), the Inter-Monsoon Short Rain (IMSR; October-November) and the North East Monsoon (NEM; December-March). Gazi Bay is open to the sea whereas Tudor and Kilifi Creeks have sheltered bays inside 2 deep and relatively narrow inlets. The creeks are similar in size (Area;::;15 106m ; volum~60 1Q6m\ Spring tidal ranges at the entrances were estimated at 3.01, 3.16 and 3.3m, respectively, with strong M2 dominance and....