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Navigation / Channel Data

Coos Bay’s short 15-mile channel helps ensure that inbound and outbound cargoes move rapidly and efficiently through the harbor's marine terminals to domestic and international markets. Travel time from ocean to land is only 90 minutes. 

The following tables provide specific navigational information including location and channel specifications. 

Channel Description
EntranceLatitude 43° 22' North/Longitude 124 ° 22' West
 The Coos Bay Sea Buoy is approximately 173 nautical miles/320 km south of the Columbia River, and 367 nautical miles/680 km north of the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
Time ZonePacific / GMT -8h
UNCTAD LocodeUS COB
NOAA Char18587
Admiralty Chart/Pilot3095. 3123 / NP8
Entrance Range D47 feet/ 14.33 meters Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)
Channel Depth37 feet/11.28 meters MLLW
Channel Length15.2 miles/ 24.5 kilometers
Width1,150 feet/350.7 meters at the entrance mark
Reduces to 700 feet/213.5 meters at Channel Mile 0
Reduces through the entrance jetties to Channel Mile 1.0. From this point to the railroad bridge (see clearances below) at Channel Mile 9.2 authorized width is 300 feet/91.5 meters; authorized width from Channel Mile 9.2 through Channel Mile 15.0 is 400 feet/122.0 meters
Turning BasinsMile 12.2 and Mile 14.6 in the upper bay
Clearances197 feet/60.08 meters horizontal clearance at railroad bridge (Channel Mile 9.2)
149 feet/45.45 meters vertical restriction (0 tide) at McCullough Highway Bridge (U.S. 101, Channel Mile 9.5)
Tidal RangesMean 5.6 feet/1.7 meters
Diurnal 7.3 feet/2.2 meters
Maximum 12 feet/3.7 meters
Tidal ebb to 3 knots
Winds & WeatherPrevailing winds from the NW. Storm events may produce winds from the SW and SE
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