Göta älv
Hydrographic conditions at the mouth of the Göta älv in September 1745, are well known. The discharge of the Göta älv was unusually large due to heavy snowfall during the winter of 1744–45. The water level of Lake Vänern was also extremely high in 1745. These factors combined into an increase in the volume of fresh water flowing into the "Älvsborgsfjorden", affecting the layers of fresh and salt water, making the conditions for dead water very favorable on 12September 1745. It may be that the "Götheborg" was suddenly trapped by dead water when making its final change of course, causing the ship to lose rudder function, go off course and run aground.