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STUDY AREA
The study area includes the open waters of Currituck Sound and Kitty
Hawk Bay, NC along with Back Bay, VA as the northern extent. The average depth of Currituck Sound is approximately 6 feet. The water level in this oligohaline system fluctuates due to wind driven
tides. Lunar influence is minimal. Typically salinity ranges
from 0.5 - 12ppt. Wind from the North (outgoing tide) generates
a freshwater influx from the Northwest River and North Landing River.
Southerly winds (incoming tide) bring a saltwater influx from Albemarle
Sound and Oregon Inlet via Croatan and Roanoke Sounds. Jean Guite
creek connects Kitty Hawk Bay to Currituck Sound in the East while Coinjock
Canal connects North River to Currituck Sound in the West. Other
important water bodies in this system include Tull’s Bay at the mouth
of the Northwest River and Coinjock Bay located North of Coinjock Canal.
The Intracoastal Waterway enters Currituck Sound from North Landing
River in the North and exits South through Coinjock Bay and Coinjock
Canal into the North River and the Albemarle Sound. There are
significant protected lands around the system; Mackay Island National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Knotts Island, Currituck Banks NWR, Back Bay
NWR, False Cape State Park, Currituck Banks National Estuarine Research
Reserve, Audubon Society’s Pine Island/Currituck Marshes, and Kitty
Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve.
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