What are some other basic characteristics of Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay is on the west central coast of Florida between 27.5° and 28°N latitude. The average annual temperature is a balmy 72°. The Tampa Bay area receives an average of 55 inches of precipitation each year and about 60% of the annual rainfall occurs during June through September. Tidal action results in currents of approximately 5.9 ft/s on ebb tides and approximately 3.9 ft/s on flood tides at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Freshwater inflow to Tampa Bay is about 525 billion gallons on an annual basis, with four major rivers (Alafia, Hillsborough, Little Manatee, and Manatee Rivers) contributing about 70%-85% of this. Salinity generally ranges over 25-38 ppt in Lower Tampa Bay, nearest the mouth of the bay. Old Tampa Bay, in the northern part of Tampa Bay, usually has salinities varying over 18-32 ppt and Hillsborough Bay has a salinity range of 15-30 ppt.
