Clipped talk for the maximum flood current listed in current tables, given with its time and speed for each cycle, alongside max ebb and the slacks between. Pilots, tug masters and kayak guides plan around it: transits against max flood are slow and costly, while docking or towing near it is often ruled out. The word is used as a time marker, as in an hour before max flood.
Max flood's 3.2 knots at 1415, so we sail at noon and ride the back half of it through the narrows.
Also heard as
- maximum flood
- strength of flood
Related terms
Flood
Tidal current running in from the sea and up rivers and estuaries, mostly while the water is rising.
Slack water
The short lull when a reversing current almost stops while it swaps between flood and ebb.
Tidal current
The horizontal flow of water that accompanies the rise and fall of the tide.
Tide window
The span of time when water is deep enough, or current slack enough, for a planned vessel move or job.