1-6 



level (EBASCO, 1971a) . Averaged over the tidal cycle, the water enter- 

 ing and leaving the harbor flows at a rate of about 88,000 cfs; this is 

 140 times the 625 cfs Harbor Station cooling-water flow. 



Two tidal current gauges were also maintained in the harbor by 

 The National Oceanic Survey: one in the harbor entrance channel and the 

 other at the Tomlinson Bridge. In the estuary channel inside the break- 

 waters the average current is approximately 0.4 knot or 0.68 fps. 



The bedrock underlying the harbor area is probably a sedi- 



J 



mentary deposit of Triassic age and consists solely of Arkosic sand- 

 stones. No shale or conglomerate has been observed in cores sampled in 

 New Haven Harbor. New Haven Harbor is now a tidal estuary in which 

 recent silts and sands are being deposited. Modified glacial soils 

 deposited by running and quiet waters fill in the depressed regions 

 resulting from glaciation; some soft organic silt containing fragments 

 of shells occur above the glacial deposits. 



Meteorology 



Connecticut lies in a transition zone of westerly air currents 

 that encompass the southward movement of dry polar air masses and the 

 northern movement of moist tropical air masses . It is within this tran- 

 sition zone that storm centers form and move. 



Superimposed on these large-scale effects are those created by 

 New Haven's proximity to Long Island Sound. During the warmer months 

 when air temperatures exceed those of the water, a sea breeze is likely 

 to occur which tends to reinforce normal wind flow from the south or 

 southwest during this season of the year. Such sea breezes occur only 

 when the pressure gradient is weak along Long Island Sound. This marine 

 environment moderates the climate of New Haven by producing cooler 

 summers and warmer winters in comparison with those in inland areas. In 

 addition, the low- level air mass wind speeds are increased by the sea 

 breeze in spring and summer. 



