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Net Shore-Drift And Artificial Structures Within Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, And Mouth Of The Columbia River, Washington, B. Patrice (Berenthine Patrice) Thomas

WWU Graduate School Collection

Net shore-drift, the overall result of sediment transport in the littoral zone, was studied along the shore within Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and mouth of the Columbia River, Washington. The length and direction of drift cells, which are discrete sediment compartments, was delineated using geomorphologic and sedimentologic indicators. Eight drift cells were identified in Grays Harbor, seven within Willapa Bay, and three along the section of the Columbia River shore studied. Drift cell lengths range from 200 m to approximately 6 km with an average of 1.5 km. Net shore-drift directions vary considerably with maximum fetch identified as the most …