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6.7 CAPE ARUNDEL DISPOSAL SITE 



6.7.1 Summary of CADS 



The Cape Arundel Disposal Site (CADS), a 500 yard (457.25 m) diameter area 

 centered at 43° 17. 800' N, 70° 27. 200' W, is located in Bigelow Bight approximately 2.7 nmi 

 south of Cape Arundel, Maine (Figure 6-43). The site is in an area of north-south trending 

 ridges and valleys created as a result of glaciation and is typical of the western Gulf of 

 Maine. Because each of these valleys is separated by bedrock ridges, the details of the local 

 bathymetry are unique to each area and must be defined through specific bathymetric and 

 side-scan sonar surveys. The site lies in a trough that has a maximum depth of 44 m and is 

 oriented in a true north-south direction (Figure 6-44). 



Water circulation at CADS is influenced by the counterclockwise flow around the 

 Gulf of Maine. Current studies in recent years have revealed that the bottom currents at the 

 disposal site are on the order of 10-15 cm-s" 1 in a northerly direction (SAIC 1987c). During 

 one 59-day current meter deployment in the fall of 1984, maximum bottom velocities of 

 22 cm-s" 1 were recorded on several occasions coinciding with local storm events. From 

 these data, it is apparent that the bottom currents in the vicinity of CADS are not affected 

 significantly by wind and storm events which may drive surface currents, and it appears that 

 bottom currents are controlled by the bottom topography. Because of the trough running 

 through the disposal site, the currents at CADS primarily flow in a north-south direction at 

 very low velocities and cause minimal sediment resuspension (SAIC 1988a). 



In the Cape Arundel area, the near-shore rocky bottom probably is used exclusively 

 by lobster fishermen. Rough bottom offshore may be used for lobster pots or gill nets. All 

 disposal operations at this site are confined to the trough area to minimize the impact to 

 potential lobster habitat. Extensive finfish dragging takes place on level bottoms offshore of 

 the disposal area; commercial dragging is impractical at CADS due to the confined nature of 

 the disposal trough. However, small draggers may work inshore areas seasonally for winter 

 flounder or northern shrimp. Ocean quahogs have been found at depths less than 30 m off 

 Maine, but have not been harvested commercially. Some finfish spawning takes place near 

 the disposal site. Silver hake, pollock, and Atlantic cod spawn along the entire western Gulf 

 of Maine, but these fish all have pelagic (floating) eggs which would be little affected by 

 sediment disposal. Atlantic herring spawn along the Western Gulf of Maine and have 

 demersal eggs which adhere to the bottom. The eggs usually are laid at depths less than 

 90 m in areas with high currents (average 32 cm-s 1 ) and hard bottoms chosen to provide 

 maximum oxygenation and minimum siltation (SAIC 1988a). 



Numerous field investigations were conducted at CADS from May 1984 to May 1990 

 (SAIC 1987c, 1990k, 1991a). The earlier surveys were conducted as part of the final 

 disposal site designation study. The techniques used during these studies included 



DAM OS Summary Report, 1985-1990 



