Geologic Structure and Hydrodynamics of Egmont Channel: An Anomalous Inlet at the Mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida

High-resolution bathymetry surveys of Egmont Channel were conducted in 1999 and 2001 using a Kongsberg Simrad EM 3000 multibeam bathymetric system. These data were supplemented with other bathymetry data, seismic profiles, underwater scuba observations, and current velocity data, in order to investigate the geologic and hydrodynamic characteristics of Egmont Channel. Bounded to the north by a linear steep scarp (∼38°) and by a more gradual slope (>10°) to the south Egmont Channel is an asymmetric tidal inlet and the main shipping channel for Tampa Bay, Florida. The cross sectional area (17,964 m2) and the tidal prism (6×108 m3) for Egmont Channel were derived in this study. Currents measured at Egmont Deep and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (∼11 km away) with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, have a high correlation (97%) indicating the current velocities at Sunshine Skyway Bridge can be used as a proxy for current velocities at Egmont Deep. Seismic profile data indicate that both the mouth of Tamp...