What to Know About the California Current and How it Can Affect Your Paddling

California Current and Ocean Awareness 

The ocean is alive. To most, that would seem obvious. It is teeming with energy and a vast array of wildlife. However, to the few who know, the ocean, and more specifically, the Pacific Ocean is a body of water with its own characteristics.

It has a consistent temperature, occasional upwellings, and mood changes, and is in a constant state of flow.

All of these combine to affect your daily paddling and surfing activities.

When it comes to the great mystery that is the ocean, it is always best to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.

A great place to start is by understanding the consistent California currents. The one's characteristic of the western coast of California.

To see a quick video explaining the California currents, click below:

California Current

The California Current is a cold water Pacific Ocean current. It begins off the southern coast of British Columbia. And ends on the southern Baja California Sur flowing north to south.

Due to the North American coastline, this California current is considered an Eastern boundary current. In addition, it is considered one of five major coastal currents associated with strong upwelling zones. And is part of the North Pacific Gyre, a large swirling current that occupies the northern basin of the Pacific.

What its Movement Means

Since this California current is a north-to-south running current, the water that ends up along the California coast results in much cooler ocean temperatures compared to sections on the east coast of the US. This also results in cooler summer temperatures on the west coast as compared to the east.

Example: Half Moon Bay at 37°N has no month with an average high above 67 °F (19 °C) and San Francisco often stays below 70 °F (21 °C) in summer, while Virginia Beach, VA, close to the same latitude, has high temperatures above 80 °F (27 °C) in summer. (source)

Combine its movements with consistent northwesterly wind and there is often an extensive upwelling of colder sub-surface waters. These work to also cool the water temperatures year-round. This mechanism is also what causes California's coastal fogs. And will drop the water temperatures in comparison to east coast summer temperatures.

As a result, cooler, nutrient-rich water rises up from the depths to take its place—a process known as upwelling. The California Current  is what scientists call an eastern boundary current. Strong current systems flow along the east side (or boundary) of all of Earth’s major ocean basins. They tend to move water toward the equator, and they are prone to strong upwelling.

That’s because an ocean current moving from north to south along a west coast is pulled away from the shore by Earth’s rotation (the Coriolis effect), leaving a void that allows deep water to fill in behind. This interaction between wind patterns, ocean currents, and Earth's rotation makes the California coast a hotspot for upwelling, significantly influencing the local climate and marine ecosystem.

How Does the California Current Influence the Marine Food Web?

The California Current plays a crucial role in shaping the marine food web along the Pacific coastline. This ocean current, characterized by its cool water and rich nutrient content, fosters a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Primary Producers Flourish

The influx of nutrients supports a blooming population of plant life, ranging from microscopic phytoplankton to sprawling kelp forests. These primary producers serve as the foundational layer of the marine food web.

Building a Diverse Food Web

With an abundance of plant life, the stage is set for a diverse array of marine creatures:

• Phytoplankton: These microscopic plants are consumed by small zooplankton, forming the first link in the food chain.
• Kelp Forests: Provide shelter and food for various marine species, including fish and invertebrates.

Supporting Marine Life

As plant life prospers, so do the animals that depend on them. The following creatures thrive due to the nutrient-rich environment:

• Fish Populations: Include highly productive fisheries that are vital to both marine life and human economies.
• Marine Mammals: Species such as whales, seals, and dolphins find ample food sources.
• Sea Birds: Flourish in the nutrient-rich waters, feeding on fish and other marine organisms.

Extent of Influence

The impact of the California Current can be felt up to 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the coastline, ensuring a vast and productive marine habitat.

In summary, the California Current nutrient-dense waters are the lifeblood of a dynamic and productive marine food web, supporting a variety of marine species and extensive ecosystems.

Example:

The average July SST (sea surface temperature) at New York City at 40.7°N is 73 °F (23 °C), while at the same latitude in Eureka, CA is 57 °F (14 °C). As such, ocean surf temperatures are rarely above 66 °F (19 °C) during the summer along the California coast south to San Diego, while they are often above 80 °F (27 °C) on the east coast from North Carolina southward. (source)

There is some good news despite the cooler water temps. Due to the upwelling caused by the current and the winds, the waters bring nutrient-rich sediments to the surface. These support large populations of whales, seabirds, and fish species.

So, for all you nature lovers out there - the California coast is the place to go if you want to spot a whale in the wild!

However, be careful to not arrive during an El Nino event as this can have a negative effect on the food chain - especially on the phytoplankton. Which of course, leads to a decline in the whale and seabird population. Researchers are also watching the California Current closely this year because El Nino warms the sea more than usual and can reduce upwelling. This leads to increased water temperatures, which in past El Nino events has done real damage to fisheries and the marine mammals that feed on them.

Researchers are keeping a close watch on the California Current during El Niño events due to significant environmental impacts. El Niño conditions typically warm the sea more than usual, leading to a decrease in upwelling. This decrease in upwelling, where cooler, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, results in elevated water temperatures.

Global warming is likely to have a significant impact on upwelling in coastal boundary currents. Upwelling, the process whereby deep, cooler water rises to the surface, is essential for nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems. As temperatures rise globally, this phenomenon could become more intense.

Key Changes to Upwelling:

1. Chemical Alterations: The intensified upwelling may alter the chemistry of nearshore waters, potentially affecting nutrient distribution and water quality. These changes could ripple through the food chain, impacting primary producers and all dependent species.
2. Zooplankton Decline: There is already evidence indicating a drop in zooplankton populations. These tiny organisms are crucial food sources for many marine animals. A decrease in zooplankton can thus have a cascading effect, impacting fish and other predators.
3. Thermocline Shift: Global warming is also causing the thermocline—the boundary layer between warmer surface waters and colder, deeper waters—to deepen. This shift can change the dynamics of marine habitats, affecting species distribution and behaviors.

Current Observations:

• Research Trends: Studies have already detected some of these changes, suggesting that the process is underway.
• Long-term Effects: The ongoing alteration of upwelling patterns could reshape marine ecosystems, necessitating adaptations from the species that inhabit them.

In summary, global warming doesn't just raise temperatures; it reshapes marine environments by intensifying upwelling, altering water chemistry, declining zooplankton populations, and shifting the thermocline. These changes collectively could have profound effects on coastal ecosystems.

Consequences of Reduced Upwelling:

• Fisheries Impact: Warmer waters often lead to disruptions in local fish populations, affecting the entire fishing industry.
• Marine Mammals: The altered temperature and food availability can severely impact marine mammals that depend on certain fish species for sustenance.

These combined factors can result in long-term damage to marine ecosystems and industries dependent on them, making it crucial for researchers to monitor these changes closely.

The Impact of Kelp Forest Collapse on Northern California's Ecosystems

The collapse of kelp forests has profoundly disrupted Northern California's ecosystems in several ways:

1. Loss of Biodiversity: Kelp forests serve as vital habitats for various marine species. Their decline has led to a significant reduction in the populations of fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms that depend on these underwater forests for shelter and food.
2. Imbalance in Marine Food Webs: With kelp forests dwindling, key species such as sea otters and certain fish find it harder to source nourishment. This imbalance extends to apex predators and can cause cascading effects throughout the marine food web.
3. Algal Blooms: The absence of kelp, which competes with phytoplankton for nutrients, has resulted in increased algal blooms. These blooms can deplete oxygen in the water, creating dead zones where most marine life struggles to survive.
4. Erosion of Coastlines: Kelp forests act as natural barriers that protect coastlines from waves and storm surges. Their loss leaves these areas more vulnerable to erosion, which can lead to significant changes in coastal landscapes and increased sedimentation in marine habitats.
5. Economic Consequences: The fishing and tourism industries, which rely heavily on the health of kelp forests, have seen negative impacts. Declines in fish populations and diving tourism can hurt local economies that depend on these activities.

The combination of climate change and marine diseases has driven these detrimental changes, highlighting the urgent need for conservation and restoration efforts to reclaim these critical underwater ecosystems.

A Visual Representation of the Current

The Potential Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Upwelling Ecosystems

Recent studies indicate that climate change could significantly impact coastal upwelling ecosystems. Upwelling, a process where deep, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of these marine environments. Here's how climate change might influence this delicate balance:

Intensification of Upwelling

Climate change may amplify the process of upwelling in coastal boundary currents. This intensification could alter the water chemistry near the shore, potentially disrupting the existing ecological equilibrium.

Changes in Marine Species

With the shift in water chemistry, marine species that currently thrive in these environments might be affected. The alteration in nutrient availability and water temperatures can lead to shifts in species composition, possibly favoring some species over others.

Decline in Zooplankton

There is already evidence showing a decrease in zooplankton populations in certain regions. Zooplankton forms the base of the marine food web, and their decline can have cascading effects on higher trophic levels, including fish and marine mammals.

Deepening of the Thermocline

Research has also observed a deepening of the thermocline, the layer that separates warmer surface waters from cooler deep waters. This change can affect the extent and intensity of upwelling, further influencing nutrient distribution and biological activity in these ecosystems.

Key Points to Consider

1. Nutrient Redistribution: Enhanced upwelling could either deplete or enrich nearshore nutrient levels, altering primary productivity.
2. Species Adaptation: Marine organisms may need to adapt to changing temperature and nutrient conditions or risk declining populations.
3. Food Web Dynamics: Shifts in zooplankton abundance can disrupt the entire marine food web, affecting everything from small fish to top predators.
4. Thermocline Shifts: Changes in the thermocline depth could modify the frequency and intensity of upwelling events, impacting long-term ecosystem stability.

Understanding these potential effects is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on coastal upwelling ecosystems.

Key References and Resources for Understanding the California Current

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the California Current, a range of references and resources can be consulted. Here are some key publications and sources:

Scholarly Articles and Reports

1. Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems
   Bakun, A., et al. (2015) explores the anticipated effects of climate change on coastal upwelling ecosystems in Current Climate Change Reports. This article delves into page 85-93 and offers valuable insights into the dynamic changes affecting these ecosystems.
2. California Current Ecosystem Research
   The NSF Long-Term Ecological Research (2016) project focuses on the California Current Ecosystem. This resource provides extensive research and findings on the interactions within this marine environment.

Online Platforms and Databases

3. Flowing Ocean
   Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (2014) presents "Flowing Ocean: Understanding the California Current." This accessible resource offers a detailed overview of the current's characteristics and its ecological significance.
4. Encyclopedia of Earth
   The Encyclopedia of Earth (2011) includes a well-rounded entry on the California Current large marine ecosystem. This entry was last updated on June 13, 2011, making it a valuable starting point for understanding the broader context.
5. Research Summaries and Data
   The NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (2014) publishes various materials under "Research in the California Current." These documents provide detailed research findings and data summaries pertinent to the region.
6. Wikipedia
   Wikipedia (2016) holds an entry on the California Current, which was accessed on February 25, 2016. This entry provides a general overview and links to further readings and related topics.

Each of these resources offers a unique perspective and valuable data on the California Current, making them essential for researchers, scholars, and anyone interested in marine ecosystems.

Conclusion

When we know as much as possible about the environments we paddle in, we are more likely to stay safe, and have fun. The Pacific Ocean is a magical place, full of fantastic opportunities to connect with nature and the wildlife within. With knowledge of the currents, you can be better prepared for the water temperatures, the changing conditions, and when the magical wildlife will be available to greet from the platform of your paddle board. To learn more about places to paddle around the world, head to perfectpaddles.com!