Breachway (Inlet) Current Lag
 

Typically, how much lag is there between the tide change and the inlet current change?

I think it depends alot on the width if the breachway, and the tide differential for the given location. Im not sure on the rhody breachways, but one of the inlets that I fish in CT has a lag of about half an hour.

It really depends on the size of the estuary in the back. The incoming ocean tide "fills" the estuary and larger bodies of water take more time to fill.

Segenekontacket Pond on the Vineyard has a slight differential between high tide outside and high slack current. Same with Pogue Gut and Menemsha.

Fire Island Inlet on LI, on the other hand, has a tide/current differential of close to 2-1/2 hours because Great South Bay is huge.

Chatham Inlet and Pleasant Bay also have a greater tide/current differential.

What I have noticed at all the outflows I have fished, is there is no lag between the tidal changes. It's in-coming, and immediately it changes flow directions.

Thanks to all who have replied.
Does anyone have any information on the RI breachways /inlets regarding the delay?

I have no accurate info, but at Charlestown it seems that outgoing is about 45 minutes to an hour after the tide charts indicate it would turn around outside on the beach... if that makes sense. :huh:

I think it varies 1:15 to 2:00 after Watch Hill or just under 2 and 2.5 hours after Newport... But don't hold me to that :hihi:

It does vary by the moon and it does vary by wind IIRC

Chatham Inlet and Pleasant Bay also have a greater tide/current differential.
NOT ANYMORE

At Quonny and Charlestown the breachway begins flowing out 10 minutes after the 20 guys :boots::boots: show up to fish. Which as John said is 2 to 2-1/2 hours after Newport high tide.

Hi Jeff :wavey:

Lots of different factors. I know of one tidal pond in SoCo where the tide was high at 7 last week and it was still incoming at 9:30 PM.
Galilee Channel changes almost on schedule.
Narrow River seems like it flows out for almost 3 hours after publicized low. If it's got a New or Full Moon and a NW wind, even longer.