3-6 



characterize the climate of this area. The moderating maritime influ- 

 ence is most evident in late spring and summer, when water temperatures 

 are cooler than air temperatures, and in the late autumn and winter, 

 when water temperatures are generally warmer than air temperatures. The 

 climate is spatially and annually variable. Mean annual temperatures 

 range from 9.4 to 12.8°C decreasing eastward from New York City, inland 

 from the Connecticut coastline, and eastward on Long Island (Long Island 

 Sound Regional Study, 1973) . Monthly means of daily maximum and daily 

 minimum air temperature from 1971 to 1977 at Bridgeport, Connecticut, 

 show a regular pattern (Figure 3-2) . Warmest temperatures generally 

 occurred in July, but during 1973 and 1976 peak temperatures occurred in 

 August; highest summer mean was in July 1974 (29.2 C) whereas the lowest 

 was in July 1971 and August 1976 (18.3 C) . Coldest temperatures occurred 

 in January or February with record cold occurring in January 1977, when 

 the mean minimum was -8.1 C and the mean maximum -1.4 C. 



Monthly totals of daily precipitation at Bridgeport from 1971 

 to 1977 are presented in Figure 3-2. 



Previous Studies - New Haven Harbor 



The harbor has been actively studied from a number of view- 

 points over the years. The New Haven Harbor Station Ecological Mon- 

 itoring Studies by Normandeau Associates, Inc. (NAI) provide the most 

 recent and comprehensive information on hydrographic characteristics of 

 the harbor waters. Beginning in May 1971, monthly hydrographic surveys 



(up to 20 harbor-wide sampling stations and continuous in situ monitor- 

 ing) have measured the following parameters: temperature, salinity, 

 dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity (NAI, 1971b, 1972, 1973a, 1974a, 

 1974b, 1975a, 1976a, 1977a and 1978a). On September 3, 1975, a series 

 of thermal infra-red overflights was conducted to docioment the New Haven 

 Harbor thermal regime during operation of the New Haven Harbor Station 



(NAI, 1976b); extensive in situ information on ambient water temperatures 

 was also collected during these overflights. During the summer and fall 



