The intrusion of open ocean water across the head of DeSoto Canyon offshore of Pensacola, Florida, is investigated using a version of the Bryan-Cox model of the entire Gulf of Mexico. The Loop Current-forced model circulation in DeSoto Canyon features an eastward, nearly along-isobath, current with a weak cross-isobath velocity component. In contrast, the southward wind-driven currents over the west Florida shelf in response to northerly winds induce strong cross-isobath flow at the head of DeSoto Canyon. The flow is diagnosed to be the bottom Ekman flow associated with the strong along-isobath currents. In addition, transient responses of sea levels to the northerly wind bursts give rise to pressure gradient-forced currents up the canyon during the collapse phase of the winds. A case study in November 1997 is conducted, and the above arguments are substantiated with the simulated and the observed currents.