Silver rivers

[cagey]

What are and how are they formed please, those serpentine rivers of markedly different coloured water, they don't seem to have consistent start and finish points don't follow any contours surface or bottom, not wind influenced and dont carry weed at a different rate
Thanks
K

 

[Seajet]

cagey,

if you mean the patterns of lines among the wavelets in a harbour, I noticed this again by my mooring the other day and could only presume it's detergent or something leaking from somewhere, or on an industrial scale from treated sewage outlets ?

 

[cagey]

No, the most recent was last sat one end was over Helford way other end was Nare hd about 10nm apart although it's length was significantly more, at one point it was 3nm out to sea ,was about 10 metres wide very defined edges and not affected by wind and tide pumping out of Carrick roads .only one ship anchored in bay long way from what I'm referring to.

 

[[3889]]

Might be caused by marine fronts between water masses of different salinity or temperature. Have you seen them near a river outflow?

 

[viva]

Could it be fresh water mixing with sea water at different densities?

 

[fisherman]

It's what the old men called a 'tide edge'. When the tide turns at sea you get opposite flowing currents which often bring all the weed and detritus together, and a smooth oily stripe, you'll find mackerel, flotsam, and basking sharks there, as the feed accumulates as well. Don't know the science behind it, just years of observation.

 

[lpdsn]

It's what the old men called a 'tide edge'. When the tide turns at sea you get opposite flowing currents which often bring all the weed and detritus together, and a smooth oily stripe, you'll find mackerel, flotsam, and basking sharks there, as the feed accumulates as well. Don't know the science behind it, just years of observation.

Sounds like the same as a 'tide line' which is a common enough expression amongst racers. It's where two tidal flows meet - presumably one goes under the other which is why things collect at the surface on the line.

 

[onesea]

Sounds like the same as a 'tide line' which is a common enough expression amongst racers. It's where two tidal flows meet - presumably one goes under the other which is why things collect at the surface on the line.

I think what fishermen and the OP are describing is different, "tide lines" you normally see with changes in water colour and sea weed, garbage etc.

If they are what I think they are these are more like oil slicks on the water. not always by rivers but often found where water flows are changing... I thought it was wind till some one suggested it was the first signs of change in current. My observation since has erred that way, thanks Fisherman for giving it a name...

 

[Hypocacculus]

Do you mean this sort of thing?

View attachment 43622

 

[cagey]

That's what I was trying to describe.
Thanks everyone for good explanations, sorry for delay in reply been to Dartmouth and back sometimes felt like being in tumble drier.
K

 

[claymore]

In Kendal, in the 1960's and 70's The Silver River was the very first Chinese Restaurant....