Discovering the river outlet current by using simple field measurement (case study of Kendal Coastal Area)

Theoretically, in the natural condition the wind is main energy induce wave and sea surface current. The measurements related to the wind patterns may indirectly reflect the condition of waves and the sea surface current. Other theory stated that in some cases, sea surface current has different direction depending on the bathimetry condition or other local factors. This research aimed to discover the correlation between wind and sea surface current direction in Kendal Coastal Area, focussing on nearshore zone nearby Bodri Rivermouth. The research was conducted by a simple measuring instrument for detecting sea surface current direction. The background of this research was the occurrences of the lost people drowned in the research area and being related to the mystical phenomena by the coastal community. The results showed that the correlation values of the wind and sea surface direction up to 0.40 and 0.09, each for point 1 and point 2, respectively. Those differences between wind and sea surface current direction imply that the results against the first wind direction theory. However, the results revealed that the existence of river mouth is the main factor that influences the different pattern of the sea surface current and wind direction. It is proof that the outlet current exists in the research area. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.