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A strait is a water body connecting two or water basins. The surface water is, for the most part, at the same elevation on both sides and can flow through the strait in either direction, although the topography generally constricts the flow somewhat. In some straits, there is a dominant directional current. Most commonly, the strait is a narrow channel that lies between two . Straits are loci for sediment accumulation, with sand-sized deposits usually occurring on the two strait exits, forming subaqueous fans or deltas. Some straits are not navigable because, for example, they are too narrow or too shallow, or due to the presence of a reef or archipelago.
Many straits are economically important. Straits can be important and have been fought for control of them.
Numerous artificial channels, called , have been constructed to connect two oceans or seas over land, such as the Suez Canal. Although and canals often provide passage between two large lakes, and these seem to suit the formal definition of strait, they are not usually referred to as such. Rivers and often canals, generally have a directional flow tied to changes in elevation, whereas straits often are free flowing in either direction or switch direction, maintaining the same elevation. The term strait is typically reserved for much larger, wider features of the marine environment. There are exceptions, with straits being called canals; Pearse Canal, for example.
Some straits have the potential to generate significant tidal power using tidal stream turbines. Tides are more predictable than wave power or wind power. The Pentland Firth (a strait) may be capable of generating 10 gigawatt."Marine Briefing" (December 2006) Scottish Renewables Forum. Glasgow. Cook Strait in New Zealand may be capable of generating 5.6 GW"The Energetics of Large Tidal Turbine Arrays, Ross Vennell, 2012, preprint submitted to Royal Society, 2011." even though the total energy available in the flow is 15 GW."Estimating the power potential of tidal currents and the impact of power extraction on flow speeds. Ross Vennell, 2011"
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