7.0 WHAT THE STUDY WILL DO NEXT 



The information on sources and movement of water gathered in 

 the inventory phase of this study and summarized in this report will be 

 used in developing management plans. The material should be especially 

 useful for water quality, water supply and flooding. But it should also 

 be useful for other plans such as land use, erosion and sedimentation, and 

 ecological studies in assessing the impact of management on the existing 

 natural system. 



The work group on sources and movements of water will help the 

 other work groups in four ways: 



(1) By providing this summary report to all work groups and 

 by making the more detailed data upon which it rests available 

 as needed. 



(2) in a passive way, by responding to work group requests 

 for supplementary information or interpretations. 



(3) In an active way, by pointing out to the other work 

 groups ways in which information on sources and movements on 

 water might assist in solving their major problems. Some examples: 



At the western end of the Sound, information on in- 

 flow and outflow is very poor; the direction and velocity 

 of flow varies in a poorly understood way according to 

 tidal phase, depth, buoyancy and other factors. However, 

 it is known that the net surface flow is towards the 

 Sound and the net bottom flow is out of the Sound, 

 Therefore, there is a potential capability, which needs 

 further investigation, of directing the flow of sewage 

 into or out of the Sound. This might be accomplished 

 by considering the combined effects of currents, out- 

 fall locations and outfall elevations in New York City, 

 and possibly by correlating sewage discharges there with 

 favorable phases of the tidal cycle. 



In the center of the Sound with its complex gyre 

 patterns, the retention time of natural runoff and 

 sewage is relatively long as compared with the eastern 

 part of the Sound where they are swept much more rapidly 

 out to sea through The Race. Recognition of these gross 

 patterns might influence the priorities and degrees of 

 waste treatment in Bridgeport, New Haven, New London, 

 and cities along the Connecticut River. To the extent 

 that thermal effects of proposed power plants are 

 determined to be widespread and significant, the gross 

 circulation patterns should be a significant considera- 

 tion affecting site selection and outlet design. 



kk 



