“The influence of a submarine canyon on the wind-driven downwelling circulation over the continental shelf” by Pedro A. Figueroa, Gonzalo S. Saldías, and Susan E. Allen

General comments

This paper presents a numerical modeling effort to extend existing knowledge regarding the hydrodynamic response of a coastal ocean with a continental shelf incised by a submarine canyon. Through a series of process-oriented modeling experiments, the authors investigated the hydrodynamic response to a uniform downwelling-favorable wind acting on continental shelves of three different depths and slopes, with and without a submarine canyon. They analyzed upwelling/downwelling and onshore/offshore transports, as well as the fate of non-buoyant particles released around and within the submarine canyon. The introduction clearly states the problem addressed and includes relevant literature. However, the methodology needs some more information to be replicable (see specific comments). The number of figures and tables is sufficient, and their quality is satisfactory. In general, the manuscript is well written and easy to read. I think that the paper needs only minor changes to be published in Ocean Science. Finally, as the flow is strongly influenced by the presence of the submarine canyon, I think the authors should discuss the importance of an adequate resolution of the sigma layers at the bottom. This is an aspect of great relevance when performing realistic numerical simulations (see, for example, Clavel-Henry et al. 2019, Ocean Science, 15, 1745-1759).

Specific comments

L96-97: Since the numerical results depend on the correct definition of the bottom and surface Ekman layers, it is important to specify the scheme used to define the distribution of the sigma layers, indicating the values used for the relevant parameters, i.e. θ_a, θ_b, etc.

L103-104: Include the wind direction for clarity.

Please see the supplement.