Hooghly River - Hugli Tidal Bore

Hugli Tidal Bore

The tide runs rapidly on the Hugli, and produces a remarkable example of the fluvial phenomenon known as a "tidal bore." This consists of the head-wave of the advancing tide, hemmed in where the estuary narrows suddenly into the river, and often exceeds 7 feet (2.1 m) in height. It is felt as high up as Calcutta, and frequently destroys small boats. The difference from the lowest point of low-water in the dry season to the highest point of high-water in the rains is reported to be 20 feet 10 inches (6.35 m). The greatest mean rise of tide, about 16 feet (4.9 m), takes place in March, April or May - with a declining range during the rainy season to a mean of 10 feet (3.0 m), and a minimum during freshets of 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m).

Read more about this topic:  Hooghly River

Famous quotes containing the words tidal and/or bore:

    And now it is once more the tidal wave
    That when it was swept by, leaves summits stained.
    Oh, blood will out. It cannot be contained.
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    So we may never
    Again feel fully confident of the stratagem that bore us
    And lived on a certain time after that. And it went away
    Little by little, as most things do. To profit
    By this mainstream is today’s chore and adventure.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)