Our oceanography research programs began in 1994 and build upon earlier, limited studies of Prince William Sound. The rich and diverse resources in these waters are depended upon by fishing, transportation and other industries, as well as the local people. Our investigations focus on the water exchange between the Sound and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as learning more about fresh water inputs into the Sound.

Prince William Sound is ideally suited to a range of oceanographic study activities and the Prince William Sound Science Center conducts research involving wave and current model testing, meteorlogical forecasting experiments and salinity and thermosalinograph surveys.

Our physical oceanography research efforts include surface current forecasting as a predictor of oil spill trajectory and deeper water studies to better understand their influence on plankton and other marine species.This research contributes to our community's ability to be wise stewards of the Sound.

Partnerships are vital to our work. We work with dozens of organizations and state and federal agencies to achieve our goals. An example is our work with the Alaska Ocean Observing System to pilot a PWS Observing System (PWSOS) project.

Goals of this project are to integrate observations and provide easily accessible data about the past, current and future states (physical, chemical and biological) of Alaska’s oceans and coastal marine waters and resources. As part of an evolving national program, this system currently includes web cams, meteorological data, ocean observations and ocean and atmospheric models.

In 2008 and 2009, a series of table-top and in-water experiments - including the deployment of drifter buoys - will be conducted to test the various models developed for the PWSOS. The Oil Spill Recovery Institute, the PWSSC and AOOS are leading these experiments.