3-26 



residual ebb-tidal waters from the preceding tide (24.1 to 26 ppt) 

 northward into the upper estuary. On the ebbing tide, salinities near 

 the head of the estuary decreased to 19 to 25 ])pt and relatively fresh 

 waters were carried southward beyond Fort Hale Park. At the harbor 

 mouth, salinities were essentially unchanged through both phases of the 

 tide. In December, salinity at the harbor mouth was down slightly, to 

 26 ppt at the surface and 27 ppt near the bottom. Flood-tidal salin- 

 ities throughout the estuary were 1 to 2 ppt lower than in November, 

 whereas on the ebbing tide values at the head of the estuary were down 

 to 12.7 ppt. Due to severe weather conditions during January, only ebb 

 tide inner harbor measurements were made. Data showed that, on the 

 ebbing tide, pronounced freshening was apparent at the head of the 

 estuary (down to 6 ppt) . February conditions were very similar to those 

 observed during December. Flood- tidal surface salinity values also 

 showed freshened discharge from the West River extending out beyond 

 Sandy Point and slightly more saline conditions on the east side of the 

 harbor. 



By March, the influence of peak annual runoff caused a marked 

 decrease in salinities. During flood tide, salinities at the harbor 

 mouth were 26 ppt, at both the surface and bottom. The inner harbor 

 showed pronounced near-surface stratification; salinity ranged from 12 

 to 19 ppt. On the ebbing tide, salinities near the head of the estuary 

 decreased to 6 ppt and strong stratification was evident out beyond 

 Station 11. The remainder of the outer harbor actually had higher 

 salinities. In April, the same basic pattern was repeated, with pro- 

 nounced salinity stratification in the inner harbor and slightly higher 

 salinities in the outer harbor on the ebbing tide. 



In May, salinities reached the lowest values of the year, 

 probably due to a lag of the salinity minima of Long Island Sound waters 

 behind the annual peak in runoff. Flood-tidal salinities were about 25 

 ppt at the harbor mouth, slightly lower in the inner harbor, and strongly 

 stratified near the head (down to 12 ppt) . As during the preceding 

 months, ebb tidal salinities in the outer harbor showed a slight in- 



