outdraft

plural outdrafts

1. nauticalAn outward current, often specifically a river current pulling toward a downstream dam.

   The outdraft is like a funnel, pulling the boat and tow out into the river, away from the lock and toward the dam.

   2004, Virginia Thorndike, On Tugboats, page 290

   1 more example

   Only a person stationed at the front of the lead barge or on one of the assist boats could have alerted the captain to the moment when the tow hit the outdraft.

   2017, Diane Wood, Larry Alexander v. Ingram Barge Company