Observing the urban estuary: Review and prospect

Establishing an effective observing system for the urban estuary presents oceanographic and operational challenges beyond those common to the continental shelf and open ocean. Examples are used from the Middle Atlantic Bight estuaries to illustrate that, while emerging technologies are facilitating efforts to establish these systems on a sustainable basis, cooperative efficiencies are likely to be necessary for long-term viability. Models of such cooperation are emerging from IOOS and MARACOOS, helping to encourage a vision of success amidst uncertain forecasts of financial support for the enterprise from traditional sources.