Observations from the Hudson River estuary are presented to discuss the interaction between secondary flows and stratification in the vicinity of a headland during highly stratified conditions. Analysis of the cross-stream momentum balance suggests that centrifugal accelerations are in near balance with the cross-stream baroclincity. Results emphasize that the interaction between stratification and secondary flows can set up a cross-stream internal seiche. This results in a reduction and subsequent reversal of the secondary flows downstream of a headland. Simple scaling arguments suggest that the spin-down time for tidally driven eddies is related to stratification. ¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union