Flow Patterns and Current Structure at the USS Arizona Memorial: April, 2005

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Park Service (NPS) personnel collected short-term (1 month), high-resolution physical oceanographic measurements at the USS Arizona Memorial (USAR) in April, 2005, to better understand the nature of flow surrounding the mostly submerged historic ship. Scientists deployed two bottommounted oceanographic instruments in water depths less than 10 m on either side of the USS Arizona’s hull. This study supports the National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center (NPS-SRC) research directed at understanding and characterizing the nature and rate of natural processes affecting deterioration of the National Historic Landmark (NHL) USS Arizona. The purpose of these measurements was to collect high-resolution and spatially-extensive hydrographic data to better constrain the nature of fluid flow around the submerged vessel's hull and near the Memorial.

This project represents a multi-agency approach to acquiring sound scientific data requisite for future stewardship-based management actions. Several organizations cooperatively funded this project: USGS, Department of Defense Legacy Resources Management Fund, NPS Systemwide Archeological Inventory Program, USS Arizona Memorial, Arizona Memorial Museum Association, and NPS Submerged Resources Center.