41 01 81 REGIONAL STUDY Sources and Movements of Water An Interim Report October 1973 New England River Basins Commission For more information and additional copies, contact: New England River Basins Commission 270 Orange Street New Haven, Conn. 06511 Tel: 203-772-0800 Ext. 6470 SOURCES AND MOVEMENT OF WATER An Interim Report Long Island Sound Regional Study New England River Basins Commission 270 Orange Street New Haven, Connecticut O65II Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 1973 FOREWORD Long Island Sound is one of the nation's unique and irreplaceable natural re- sources. An almost fully enclosed arm of the ocean, it has over 1300 square miles of water surface and nearly a thousand miles of coastline. Spreading eastward along both shores from the great metropolitan center which lies at the Sound's western end, a growing concentration of increasingly affluent peo- ple make ever greater demands on this urban sea. At the same time, there is a growing feeling that the conflicting demands are destroying the Sound, and that the problems must be resolved if the Sound is to be preserved. The Long island Sound Regional Study is a comprehensive planning effort by the federal government and New York and Connecticut, led by the New England River Basins Commission. Assisting the Commission are professionals from many disciplines representing the federal, state and regional agencies listed on the back cover, a Citizen Advisory Committee, and a Research/Planning Advisory Committee composed of members of the region's scientific community. THE GOAL OF THE STUDY IS TO PRODUCE A PLAN OF ACTION BY JANUARY, 1975, WHICH BALANCES THE NEEDS TO PROTECT, CONSERVE AND WISELY DEVELOP THE SOUND AND ITS RELATED SHORELANDS AS A MAJOR ECONOMIC AND LIFE-ENRICHING RESOURCE FOR THE 12 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR IT. This interim report is one of a series which outline demands placed on the Sound, its capacity to supply these demands, and the present or expected deficiencies to be overcome if it is determined that supply should meet de- mand. The reports provide a base for developing single purpose management plans which will evaluate the environmental and socio-economic impacts of suggested alternative solutions and propose courses of action. These manage- ment plans will be integrated into a comprehensive multi-purpose plan of con- servation and development, reflecting relationships between types of demands and setting forth goals and recommendations, the means for achieving them, and a schedule of priorities. Interim reports in the series include: Sources and Movements of Water Water Q.ual i ty Scenic and Cultural Resources Mineral Resources and Mining Soi 1 s Erosion and Sedimentation Ecological Studies Water Supply Recreation Land Use and Ownership Flood Plains Electric Power Generation Transportation I I SUMMARY PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT. To summarize present knowledge about the sources, distribution and movement of water in the Long Island Sound Region. Clima- tological factors such as temperature, wind and cloud cover that affect elements of the hydrologic system are also discussed. HOW DOES WATER ENTER AND LEAVE THE SOUND? Long Island Sound holds about 16, 800 billion gallons of water but much more than this amount moves in and out each year estimated aver- age quantities in billions of gallons a year (bgy) are: \H OUT Exchange with the ocean (east end) 64,000 79,800 Net Exchange through the East River (west end) 9,200 Runoff from streams 6,200 Precipitation on the Sound 800 Evaporation from the Sound 630 Diversions into the region 130 Ground-water outflow (Long Island) 100 Many of these estimates rest on incomplete or poor data more accurate quantification is needed for planning and management. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL CLIMATIC FEATURES? The climate of the Long Island Sound Region is characterized by: four distinct seasons, little monthly variation in normal precipitation, marked temperature contrasts over short distances, and the maritime influ- ence which modifies air masses entering the region the climate may vary appreciably from one location to another and from one year to another distinctive climate events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts and blizzards occur in the region, resulting in floods, wind damage, crop failure, and even loss of life. WHAT IS THE HYDROLOGIC SYSTEM IN THE REGION? The Region has an abundant supply of fresh water derived from precipitation and from inflowing streams. of the total precipitation falling on the land each year, about half returns to the atmosphere by evapotranspi ration the remainder ultimately discharges to streams and the Sound, either directly by overland flow or indirectly by downward per- colation to the water table some 75 streams drain into Long Island Sound they are hydraul ical ly connected to adjacent ground-water reservoirs and are tidal in their lower reaches--the Connecticut, Thames and Housatonic Rivers account for over 80 percent of total streamflow into the Sound about 16,500 square miles of land drains into the Sound, only 12 percent of this area is within the study region inflow is highest in the spring, lowest in the summer. I I Long Island is underlain by a large ground-water reservoir of generally good quality it meets almost all the Island's fresh water needs the fresh and salty water systems are hydraul ical ly connected on the surface and below it the yield of the fresh ground-water reservoir is not a single fixed quantity; it will vary depending on hydrogeologic conditions, the management scheme, and the extent to which undesirable effects of development will be tolerated the mainland on the north shore of the Sound is underlain by deposits of sand, gravel, silt and clay (stratified drift and till) and bedrock the area contains many hydrological ly separate ground-water reser- voirs of generally good quality large quantities of ground water may be pumped from wells tapping stratif ied-drift deposits whereas most individual domestic wells obtain adequate water from bedrock. HOVI DOES SALT WATER CIRCULATE WITHIN LONG ISLAND SOUND? Long Island Sound is a 1,300 square mile water body with estuarine characteristics in its western and central parts and embayment characteristics in its eastern third the minimum tidal range and maximum tidal currents occur at the eastern end and the maximum tidal range and minimum tidal cur- rents at the western end circulation is controlled principally by tidal currents modified by fresh-water inflow, weather conditions and topography the circulation pattern of surface and near surface waters is fairly well defined, but relatively little is known about deep current circulation surface tidal current patterns in the central and eastern Sound are ellipti- cal and counter-clockwise in direction at the eastern end, surface water flows into Block Island Sound, while more dense and saline bottom waters flow into Long Island Sound at the western end, surface water from the East River flows into the Sound and bottom waters move into the East River movement of water within major estuaries is complex because of the effects of tides and fresh-water inflow conditions understanding this movement is important for water management. WHAT WILL THE STUDY DO NEXT? It will work on solutions in all management areas information from this report and its supporting studies should be reflected in the solutions, especially for water quality, water supply and flooding pro- posals will be made to resolve major knowledge gaps such as the quantifica- tion of the dynamic circulation system within the Sound and its major estuaries. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD ii SUMMARY i i i TABLE OF CONTENTS v 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. HYDROLOGIC FRAMEWORK OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND REGION 1 3. CLIMATOLOGY 6 Weather systems 7 Availability of cl imatological records 7 Temperature 8 Precipitation 10 Tropical storms and hurricanes 12 Thunderstorms 13 Tornadoes 1^ Cloud i ness ]k Wind ]h Drought 17 k. FRESH SURFACE-WATER BODIES 18 Availabil i ty of data 19 Fresh water inflow to Long Island Sound 19 Coastal streams 22 Annual maximum streamf lows 22 Lakes and ponds 2k 5 . GROUND WATER 2k Availability of hydrogeologic data 2k The hydrogeologic system of Long Island 2k The hydrogeologic system on the north shore of Long Island Sound 32 6. BRACKISH AND SALT WATER BODIES 37 Aval labi 1 i ty of data 38 Circulation and movement 38 Estuaries k2 7 . WHAT THE STUDY W I LL DO NEXT kk Appendices A - Selected References A-1 B - Glossary B-1 C - Hydrologic and Climatologic Maps, Graphs and Tables prepared for the Long Island Sound Regional Study C-1 D - Location of Stations used in Long Island Sound Region Cl imatological Analysis D-1 E - Summary of Discharge Records for Mainland Streams E-1 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/sourcesmovementoOOgeol 1.0 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to summarize present knowledge about the sources, distribution and movement of water in the Long Island Sound Regional Study Area. Cl imatological factors such as temperature, wind and cloud cover that affect elements of the hydrologic system and in turn development patterns are also discussed. Water sources, the quantity stored at any time above or below the ground, the pattern of water movement and water quality are of direct con- cern to a variety of interests within the region. Flood control, water supply, waste disposal, recreation, agriculture, transportation and power generation are some examples of activities that are water dependent or water related. Man-made changes in land use, such as urbanization, alter the natural hydro- logic system and coordinated water and land use planning is therefore essential. Conversely, too little or too much water can limit development or require large costs to support growth. The information in this report together with supporting studies and data listed in appendices A and C will be used in the plan formulation phase of this study. The scope of subsequent planning must take into con- sideration (1) the existing requirements, interrelationships and often con- flicts between various groups of water users and how they will change with time and (2) the effect on the hydrologic system of alternative water and land use practices. 2.0 HYDROLOGIC FRAMEWORK OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND REGION Within the framework of the hydrologic cycle, water continually moves between and is temporarily stored in the atmosphere, on and below the land, and in the ocean. Water enters the Long Island Sound Region from (1) precipitation directly on the land or water within the region (2) as runoff from adjacent land areas that drain into the Sound (3) from Block Island Sound to the east and the East River to the west and (k) from sewage treat- ment plants that process water from outside of the Long Island Sound drain- age area. Water leaves the region by (1) evaporation and transpiration into the atmosphere or (2) by outflow into Block Island Sound and perhaps into New York Harbor. This general pattern of circulation and the average quantities of water involved are shown on Figure 1. The hydrologic conditions are largely governed by the climate within and adjacent to the region. Located between the source regions of warm moist air and of cold dry air places the study area near the principal west to east storm tracks. Furthermore, coastal storms originating in the ocean off the southeastern United States frequently travel on courses that bring them nearby. PRECIPITATION ON LAND DIVERSIONS ^ ^^ ^ 'T? INFLOW FROM EAST RIVER 9,200 bgy + GROUND-WATER DISCHARGE L I 750 bgy 630bq, /' EXCHANGE WITH BLOCK ISLAND SOUND INFLOW 64.000 bgy OUTFLOW 70,600 bgy 9.200 bgy * EVAPORAl ION EVAPOTRANSPIRATION % NET INFLOW FROM EAST RIVER OF 9, 200 bgy may be s,gnilicenlly in error. Figure 1. General pattern of water circulation and estimated average quan- tities of water involved in billions of gallons per year (bgy). Blocks drawn to scale. The water volume in the Sound itself is approximately 16,800 bi 11 ion gal Ions. Passing storms bring clouds, wind, rain and snow. Average annual precipitation in the Long Island Sound Region ranges from approximately 36 to 51 inches (1.7 to l.k million gallons per day per square mile) and has fairly equal monthly distribution. The minimum average annual precipitation over the land, 38 to kk inches, occurs along the north shore of Long Island and the south shore of Connecticut between Norwalk and Guilford. The maxi- mum over Long island, kh to 48 Inches, occurs along an east-west axis centered near Lake Ronkonkoma, and in Connecticut, 46 to 51 inches, over northern parts of the study area. Assuming the average annual precipitation is approximately kS inches on the 19^0 square miles of land and 36 inches on the Sound the Long Island Sound Region receives approximately 2,300 billion gallons of water each year in the form of rain and snow. The precipitation that falls on the land under natural conditions is either returned to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration (evapo- transpi ration) or flows across the land and through subsurface materials to stream channels, estuaries and the Sound. The average annual evapotranspi ra- tion is approximately one half of the average annual precipitation. Almost all evapotranspi rat ion occurs in the growing season (April through October) when plants use a large amount of water, temperatures are above freezing and hours of daylight are longest. The water that is not evapotranspi red either flows over the land surface, to streams (direct runoff) or infiltrates downward through the various earth materials eventually reaching the saturated zone. Most of the subsurface water in the saturated zone, termed ground water, moves toward and discharges into stream channels, estuaries and the ocean. The total fresh water runoff into Long Island Sound is the sum of the direct runoff and ground-water discharge from the entire Long Island Sound land drainage area of approximately 16,500 square miles. The average annual total runoff is approximately 6,200 billion gallons per year (bgy) or 5.5 cubic miles of water as computed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The average annual runoff into Long Island Sound is almost three times as large as the average annual precipitation within the study region. Water quality, flood control and sedimentation are therefore significantly affected by natural events and man's activities in the large 1U,500 square mile drainage area north of the region boundary. Long Island contrasts sharply with the land on the north shore of the Sound in respect to the pattern of water circulation. Long Island is underlain by a wedge-shaped mass of unconsolidated sediments that rests on a gently southeast-sloping surface of relatively impermeable bedrock. The saturated zone beneath Long Island constitutes a large ground-water reservoir containing in excess of 60 trillion gallons of fresh ground water (5).' The fresh and salty ground water and fresh and salty surface water are hydrau- lically connected and Long Island both within and out of the study region is an integrated hydrologic system. Because Long Island is relatively flat and the surface materials are permeable almost all the precipitation not consumed by evapotranspi ra- tion percolates down to the saturated zone. Only 5 to 10 percent of the streamflow consists of direct runoff and the ground water and surface drain- age divides are not coincident. The ground water beneath Long Island is constantly moving vertically downward and horizontally toward the shores 1 - Underlined numerals in parentheses are references in Appendix A. from the ground-water drainage divide near the center of the island. About half of the ground-water discharge is subsurface outflow into Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, the rest is discharged to streams and springs or evapotranspi red from the upper part of the saturated zone. Figure 2 shows the pattern of water circulation on Long Island under natural conditions. Fresh ground water Salty ground water Figure 2. Block diagram illustrating ground-water movement and discharge on Long Island, New York under natural conditions. After Cohen and others (1968 pi. kF). The land on the north shore of Long Island Sound is underlain by bedrock at relatively shallow depth. The surface is di scont i nuously covered by unconsolidated deposits composed of sand, gravel, silt and clay. Major surface-water and ground-water drainage divides are coincident and the area hydrological ly consists of a number of separate ground-water reservoirs each drained by a perennial stream and extending from one drainage divide to another. The amount of water stored in and moving through the saturated zone varies in each basin because of differences in size and type and distribution of sub- surface materials. Direc cipal 1y because o the surface mater del i neated drai na from the drainage ground-water disc 62 percent of the charge in coastal 3 shows the gener the north shore o t runoff constitutes a high proportion of streamflow, prin- f the topography and relatively low permeability of much of ials. Ground-water circulation is generally confined within ge basins and the direction of ground-water movement is away divides and toward major streams and estuaries. Most harge is to streams and where computed (4) ranges from 28 to total annual runoff. A small amount of ground-water dis- areas is subsurface outflow into Long Island Sound. Figure al pattern of water circulation in a major drainage basin on f the Sound. -Drainage Divide MAJOR GROUND - WATER FLOW SYSTEM WEST EXTENT OF MINOR FLOW SYSTEM Drainage Divide - EAST ^^\^r: a ' / i ^-Lr 1 ■7 \ 1 1 — 1 — 1 \ K- 1 ^ = 1 i i ■ i --- ^ i 1 ^H — "" 1 ■^ |- en o E nj x: J3 0) O T3 3 O o (1) c c o o o o c o ■a c o o en o "o u TJ >• 17 SN\\N.\ \\\N\\ WWW \N. W W W WX WWW s WS www N\ W\W N W W \, W W www WW www WW wwwwnnwn vxwwwwwww vwnwwwwnvww \www\ww\www \wwwn\x\wwww \wwwwnwnw\w\ w\\wnw\www\w w\n.\\n.\wwwwws xnw\vwsw\www\w nwwxwwwwwwnw w n x \ \_\ nwwwwwww wwnwwwwnwwww SWWWWWWNWWNWW WWWWVWWWWWWW lWWWN.\WWWWW\WW, WWWWNW wwwwwv WNWWWWVVWVWWW NWWWWWWWWNWW \WWWNN\WWWWW\W WWWNWWWWWWWW \N\\\\NW\X\\\V\\N.\\\S\\> \NNWWWNVWWW\WWW \NNWWWWWNWW\VW\ S\s.WW\WWWNWWXWW WWVWWSWWWWWWW V STREAMfiWi for the year ending ,^^:::;^^:::;^^^::^:;^^^>';r'*v^^^^^^ vSeptember 30.1965 .sywsvvwswvvx^^ \^^^x^^ Near jierife or alnve blow iHrige Much below »eri|e ^ Record low lllg , \\\ W \ \ W S \ \ \ >v V\ N_"^^^ »*\\S\\\ .\ WW \\\\\ W \ \\N>/ V\S\\\\ .\\W\N\NX\\N\\\\| \\\\\\\ .WWW W\\\N>0Ov\^ VWWN . w w w w w \ \>«w\ nI ty\w\ vwwwNws "Mp^^ w \ y y^> ^ "^ ^ Figure 7. Effect of drought on streamflow and ground-water levels, Barksdale and others (I966). After Drought conditions can end rapidly as illustrated by the events of August 1955 in coastal Connecticut. This area had been experiencing a moderate drought during July of 1955 but two August hurricanes resulted in 2.5 times the normal monthly precipitation. As a result the Palmer Drought Index went from moderate drought to extreme wet spell values in a one month interval . 4.0 FRESH SURFACE-WATER BODIES Fresh surface-water bodies include approximately 75 streams of various size that drain into Long Island Sound and numerous lakes and ponds. All of the streams located on both shores of the Sound are tidal in their lower reaches and are hydraul ical ly connected to adjacent ground-water reser- voirs. Streamflow is derived from direct runoff of precipitation and ground- water discharge both within and out of the Long Island Sound Region. Flow characteristics of the streams vary depending on precipitation, on drainage area, on basin characteristics such as geology, slope and the degree of urbanizat ion,and on effects of man-made diversions. k. 1 Avai labil ity of data Measurements of streamflow have been made on many streams within or adjacent to the Long Island Sound Region since the early 1900's. These records have been published in U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers and in the annual series entitled Water Resources Data for Connecticut, Part 1 {kV) , and Water Resources Data for New York, Part 1 (kl) . Flow records of selected streams are published on a monthly basis in Water Resources Condi- tions in Connecticut (43) and Water Resources Summary, Long Island (kk) . Short-term forecasts of streamflow are published monthly by the National Weather Service in Water Supply Outlook for the northeastern United States (19). Twelve continuous-record stream gaging stations in Connecticut and one in New York having periods of record in water years 19^1-70 were used as the primary surface-water data for the mainland part of the study area. Four of these stations, located outside the region boundary, measure inflow to the area. Ten continuous-record stations within the region have periods of record for water years 1961-70. The records of five of these stations were adjusted to the reference period 19^1-70, while the other five stations were used for low-flow values only. Forty-two low-flow partial -record sites, in and near the mainland part of the region, at which discharge measurements were made in water years 1961-70 were selected to study the range and variability of low flows. The values of the 7-day, 10-year recurrence interval low flow for these sites were estimated through relation curves of discharge, with the long-term records. Drainage areas of the low-flow partial -record sites range from 1 to 29 square miles but are generally between k and 15 square miles. The primary surface-water data for Long Island consists of 19 continuous-record stream gaging stations having periods of record in water years 19^0-65. Four of these stations are on streams that discharge into Long Island Sound whereas the others drain south into the Atlantic Ocean or into Great Peconic Bay. Surface drainage areas of these streams range from k to 75 square miles. The information on average annual, and.average monthly runoff and the 7-day, 10-year low flows has been prepared in map format (see Appendix C) . The streamflow information for the continuous record gaging stations on the mainland is summarized in Appendix E. 4.2 Fresh water inflow to the Sound The three principal streams flowing into Long Island Sound--the Thames, Connecticut, and Housatonic Rivers — have a combined drainage area of 14,700 square miles, 91 percent of the 16,200 square mile mainland drainage area. Annual runoff to the Sound averages 26,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) ^ 1 - One cubic foot per second (cfs) is equivalent to 646,317 gallons per day to approximately 0.65 million gallons per day (mgd), and to 0.24 billion gallons a year (bgy) . 19 equivalent to 1.62 cfs per square mile or 6,200 billion gallons per year and varies from 14,000 to 37,000 cfs as shown on Figure 8, Figure 8. Estimated annual inflow to Long Island Sound 1929-70. The graph indicates that one calendar year can bring almost three times as much fresh water inflow as another. Average annual runoff from the Thames River basin is 1 .64 cfs per square mile. This is slightly greater than the rate of runoff from the Connecticut and Housatonic River basins (1.62 and 1.61 cfs per squara mile, respect i vej 1 y) . The distribution of average annual runoff in the maini'and part of the region is shown on Figure 9. Average monthly runoff to the Sound varies from 4.0 cfs per square mile in April (65,100 cfs, or 1,250 billion gallons) to 0.6 cfs per square mile in September (9, 800 cfs, or 190 billion gallons); monthly inflow to the Sound has been as high as 139,000 cfs and as low as 4,300 cfs, in the period of record beginning in 1928. The average monthly runoff for the cal- endar year period 1941-70 is shown on Figure 10. 20 fpHK^^' Figure 9. Average annual runoff on the north shore of Long Island Sound in cubic feet per second per square mile, 19^1-70 water years. 70 000 60 000 50.000 40 000 30 000 20 000 10 000 JAN FEB MAR APR HAAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT MOV DEC Figure 10. Estimated average monthly inflow to Long Island Sound 19^1-70. 21 The average inflow to the Sound in 7 consecutive days of a dry weather period may be expected to go below 3^000 cfs (0.18 cfs per square mile) once in ten years. Regulation of the three principal streams entering the Sound holds the dry-weather inflow at a higher level than would occur without regulation. The 7-day, 10-year annual minimum runoff from unregulated tributaries in the mainland part of study area ranges from 0.01 to 0.05 cfs per square mi le. 4.3 Coastal streams The 66 mainland coastal streams flowing directly into the Sound, other than the Thames, Connecticut and Housatonic Rivers, have a combined drainage area of 1,467 square miles. The three largest are the Pawcatuck River (304 square miles), the Q.uinnipiac River (166 square miles), and the Saugatuck River (93.2 square miles). Drainage areas of the other coastal streams vary from about 1 to 64 square miles, with most ranging from 3 to 30 square mi les. The average annual runoff from a sample of mainland coastal streams (mean drainage area less than 10 square miles) is 1.8 cfs per square mile; the average monthly runoff varying from a high of 3.9 cfs per square mile in March to a low of 0.5 cfs per square mile in August. The 7-day, 10-year annual minimum runoff is estimated to be about 0.01 cfs per square mile, which is probably close to the lowest 10-year runoff to be expected from the mainland coastal streams. An estimated 77 cfs (50 mgd) is discharged into the Sound from coastal streams on Long Island. The four continuously gaged streams that flow into the Sound (Glen Cove Creek, Mill Neck Creek, Cold Spring Brook and the Nissequogue River) have surface drainage areas of 7 to 27 square miles and average annual runoff of 4.6 to 42.1 cfs. In comparison with mainland streams, the variation in annual and average monthly runoff is small. For example, the average monthly flow of the Nissequogue River during the highest average month (March) is 45.6 cfs, only 1.2 times greater than the lowest average month (October) . Under natural conditions 90 to 95 percent of Long Island stream- flow consists of ground-water discharge and as a result the correlation be- tween surface drainage areas and average flows is poor. In areas of urban development, however, direct runoff constitutes a much higher percentage of total discharge. 4.4 Annual maximum streamflows The mean of the annual maximum discharges (the "mean annual flood") for the continuous-record stations in and near the mainland part of study area ranges from 10 cfs per square mile for a drainage area of 10,000 square miles to about 50 cfs per square mile for a drainage area of 10 square miles. The maximum discharge of the Connecticut River near Middletown (10,900 square mile basin) was 267,000 cfs on March 12, 1936, while combined maximum discharge for the seven largest rivers flowing to the Sound (gaged drainage area of 13,900 square miles) was more than 400,000 cfs in March 1936 and in August 1955. 22 TABLE 1, PRINCIPAL LAKES, PONDS AND RESERVOIRS ■ ion Ashland Pond at Jewett City Amos Lake at Preston Aspinook Pond at Jewett City Avery Pond near Preston Babcock Pond near Westchester Barnes Reservoir near Chesterfield Beach Pond near Voluntown Beachdale Pond at Voluntown Billings Lake near Glasgo Bogue Brook Reservoir near Chesterfield Buddlngton Pond near Groton Deep River Reservoir near Oilman Dodge Pond at Niantic Fairview Reservoir near Nor\vich(own Fairy Lake near Chesterfield Fitchville Pond at FitchviHe Gardner Lake near Fitchville Glasgo Pond at Glasgo Groton Reservoir near Groton Hog Pond near Hamburg Hopevi I le Pond at Hopevi I 1e Lake Konomoc near Chesterfield Lake of Isles near Shewville Lantern Hill Pond near Shewv I I le Ledyard Reservoir near Groton Long Pond near North Stonington Hystic (Dean) Reservoir near Mystic Mystic (Palnver) Reservoir near Mystic Norwich Pond near Hamburg Oxoboxo Lake near Hontville Pachaug Pond at Pachaug Paper Mill Pond at Versailles Station Pataguanset Lake at East Lyme Pickerel Pood near Moodus Poheqnut Reservoir near Groton Powers Lake near East Lyme Rogers Lake at Laysville Smith Lake near Groton Stony Brook Reservoir near Oakdale Taftville Pond at Taftvi Me Taftville Reservoir at Taftville WaWog Pond near Glasgo Strait Wallingford llle 102 105 333 1*6. 1 11.7 ue..s 105 72 69.2 U87 \eu 115 69 1 1*9 225 87.1 15.1 95 98.6 12.5 23.9 27.5 \i>U 831 153 265 Cedar Lake near Chester 68 Deep Hollow Reservoir 2i.9 Deuces Pond near Chester 3.*. HaniT«nasset Reservoir near North Madison 377 Kelseytown Reservoir near Killlngworth 15.'. Killingworth Reservoir near Killingworlh Pataconk Reservoir near Chester S5.5 Turkey Hill Reservoir near West Haddam 80.1* Upper Pond near Tylerville 6.2 Uaterhouse Pond near Chester 1.7.1 Bradley and Hubbard Reservoir Branford Supply Ponds near Branford Cedar Pond near North Branford CI arks Pond at Mt . Carmel Clear Lake near North Branford Community Lake at Wallingford Foster Lake near Meriden Glen 0am Reservoir near Woodbridge Hanover Pond at Meriden Indian Lake at Orange Konolds Pond near Woodbridge Lake Bethany near Bethany Lake Chamberlain near Bethany Lake Oawson near Woodbridge Lake Gail lard near Branford Lake Quonnipaug at North Guilford Lake Sal Constat I at East Haven Lake Watrous near Bethany Lake Whitney at New Haven Lake Wintergreen at Woodbridge Lane Pond Reservoir near North Branford Lidyhites Pond near North Branford Linsley Pond near North Branford Maltby Lakes near West Haven MenuncaCuck Reservoir at North Guilford Merimere Reservoir near Meriden New Naugatuck Reservoir nea North Farms Reservoi Phipps Lake Reservoi Pine River (McKenzie) Reservoir near Wall ingford Pistapaug Pond near Ourham Silver Lake near Meriden Spring Brook Reservoir near East Wallingford West Lake near North Branford Aspetuck Reservoir near Easton Beaver 0am Lake near Nichols Bunnel Is Pond near Bridgeport Easton Reservoir near Easton Hemlock Reservoir near Plattsville Lake Forest near Bridgeport Peat Swamp Reservoir near Ansonia Samp Ftortar Reservoir near Fairfield Trap Falls Reservoir near Huntington 25 30 72 36 83 390 106 200 Grupes Reserve r near New Cana an John 1 . Milne 1 ake near New Ca naan Laure Re servo r at High Ridge Mianu (Barghf Reservoir near Stanwich New Ce naan Reservoir near New Canaan North Stamford Reservoir at Nc rth Stamf Putnai Lake near Round Hill Rockwood Lake r ear Round Hill Saugstuck Rese voir near Lyons Plain Streets (Popes Pond at North Wilton 61 58.lt l<2 lies 7! 82.6 50 3Wi 2Z 71 265 320 96 96 Maximum depth Total storage Usable sto (ft) (million qallonO (million ,al 17 200 200 M 655 65 27 9k2 800 lit 101 None 8 134 I31t 25 170 170 65 2,633 1 , 290 10 lt2.2 35.9 a lt69 205 25 212 212 20 20 35 3811 381t 51 227 None 30 1150 ItSO 60 235 235 20 lito IttO it3 2,177 1,055 26 395 350 12 256 256 .- 502 502 16 225 225 60 672 672 10 172 100 typ« 38 37 206 1,077 1,61.0 126 '.97 175 223 l*i*2 1,71.0 1*36 500 331 l.itOO 18.9 187 11*9 50 153 506 63 66 1.15 1''7 5,61.8 3,801 31.2 537 177 2,1.61. 610 2,253 2,1*50 500 1 1,921. 2t«0 1.76 21.5 206 613 1,640 105 175 223 Mt2 1,71.0 1.36 500 331 1,080 18.9 197 ll»9 603 891. 209 6,1.05 U91. 1,500 709 258 100 50 260 197 225 650 66 1.15 11.7 56 610 2,253 2.250 116 512 572 1*68 11 , 92i« 2ltO Not used Recreation Not used Recreation Do. Publ ic water supply Recreation Do. Do. Publ Ic water supply Do. Do. Scientific InvestlgatI Public Mater supply Do. Recreation Do. Do. Public water supply Recreation Do. Publ ic water supply tion Do. Publi Recre Publ i Industrial Publ ic wate Recreation ■ supply r supply supply supply supply Do. Do. Do. Recreation Publ ic water supply Do. Public water supply Recreation Do. Do. Do. Industrial Recreation Public water supply Recreation Do. Do Do. Recreation Public water supply Do. Do. Do. Do. Recreation Do. Publ ic water supply Do. Do. Do. Recreation Do. Recreation Public water supply Recreation Public water supply Recreation Do. Public water supply Do. Do. Do. Recreation Public water supply Public water supply 23 k.5 Lakes and ponds There are hundreds of lakes and ponds of various size mostly located in the Connecticut part of the Long Island Sound Region. The larger lakes are generally man made and are used for water supply, flood control and recreation. Table 1 lists pertinent data on the major lakes and ponds in Connecticut. 5.0 GROUND WATER 5. 1 Availability of hydrogeologic data Hydrogeologic information for the Long Island Sound Region is contained in numerous basic data and interpretive reports. Most interpretive studies published prior to I960 are qualitative and cover relatively small parts of the region. Recent comprehensive reports include the series of Water Resources Bulletins prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in coopera- tion with the State of Connecticut {ZJj 36, JTj 3_L) ; New York Water Resources Commission Bulletins {5j 8) and several U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply and Professional Papers prepared in cooperation with New York State and county agencies (6^ 10, 25, 26, 3^) . Water-level and ground-water quality data from wells within the study region are published each year in Water Resources Data for Connecticut, Parts 2 and 3 (^ ; and Water Resources Data for New York, Part 2 {kT) . Water levels are also published on a monthly basis in Water Resources Condi- tions in Connecticut (43) and Water Resources Summary, Long Island (kk) . The existing information on ground-water availability and quality necessary for planning has been updated and presented in map format for this study (see Appendix C) . In some aspects of plan formulation it may be nec- essary to refer to information contained in the selected references listed in Appendix A. 5.2 The hydrogeologic system of Long Island Two recent reports (5^ 1 0) have summarized the pertinent existing information on Long Island's hydrologic system and are the basis of this section. Although Long Island is generally considered as a single hydrologic unit it can be divided into subareas for purposes of analysis. Subareas referred to in the text and on tables are shown on Figure 11. The most important hydrologic feature of Long Island is the fresh ground-water reservoir beneath its surface. The boundaries of this reservoir are (1) the water table (2) the fresh-salt water interfaces (3) the bedrock surface and (4) the streams. The geologic framework of the ground-water reservoir consists of a thick wedge-shaped mass of saturated sand, gravel, silt and clay as shown on Figure 12. 2k Ground-water divide; September 1965 water levels Southern part of water-budget area Grett' rM'"~^^i-'-'^outhern nearshore area Water-budget area 5 0 5 10 15 20 25 MILES ll Ml I I \ I I I _L _1_ Figure 11. Hydrologic areas and subareas on Long Island. After Franke and McClymonds (1972, Fig. 2) . NORTH SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Clay Sandy clay, clayey Gravel Not to scale Figure 12. Section illustrating the geologic features of the ground-water reservoirs beneath Long Island. After Franke and McClymonds (1972, Fig. 8). 25 TABLE 2. ESTIMATED VOLUME OF FRESH GROUND WATER BENEATH PARTS OF LONG ISLAND Volume designation Volume of deposits satu- rated with fresh ground water (cubic mi les) Total volume of fresh ground water Range in estimated storage capacity (trillions of gallons) Item (1) (2) (a) Above sea level in water-budget area 5 (b) Beneath entire water- budget area 180 (c) Beneath area adja- cent to water- budget area' 100 (d) Sums of Items b and c (rounded) 280 (e) Beneath mainland Kings and Queens Counties 10 (f) Sums of items d and e (rounded) 290 (3) W 1.6 59 33 92 3.3 95 0.28- 0.56 10 -20 5.5 -11 15 -31 .55- 1.1 16 -32 1 Includes volume beneath the nearshore areas and the adjacent bays. Adapted from Franke and McClymonds (1972) Fresh ground water occurs from the bedrock surface to the water table except in the Forks and islands of eastern Long Island. The estimated quantities of fresh water stored beneath various parts of Long Island are listed on Table 2. Only a part of the fresh water beneath Long Island is available for use by man and the amount that can be recovered depends upon the water management scheme. The water table and fresh-salt water interfaces are not station- ary boundaries and their position depends on the balance between inflow (recharge) to and outflow (discharge) from the ground-water reservoir. A map prepared for this study (see Appendix C) shows the position of the upper boundary, the water table, as of March 1971. The position of the fresh-salt water interface generally lies seaward of the shore but has been accurately determined only in southwestern Nassau and Southeastern Queens Counties. Recharge to the ground-water reservoir under natural conditions is derived solely from precipitation. In the 760 square mile "water budget area" it is estimated that the average annual recharge from precipitation is approximately 820 million gallons per day (5). Most recharge takes place during the period October to March when vegetation is generally dormant. The ground-water reservoir contains six major hydrogeologic units whose properties affect the storage and movement of water. Maps showing the known extent, thickness, depth to and hydraulic properties of these units were prepared or modified for this study by the U.S. Geological Survey (see Appendix C) . Such maps in conjunction with continuing programs will enable 26 predictions of the quantity of water that can be withdrawn from the ground- water reservoir at a given site and the hydrologic response to man-made or natural changes. A summary of information on the major hydrogeologic units is shown on Table 3. There are two general systems of circulation within the ground- water reservoir. A shallow circulating subsystem, generally under water-table conditions, that discharges principally into streams and a deep circulation subsystem, generally under artesian conditions, that discharges into the bays, the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. Seepage to springs and ground-water evapotranspi ration are the other principal means of natural discharge from the ground-water reservoir. The pattern of ground-water circulation under natural conditions is shown on Figure 2. A water budget analysis quantitatively expresses the inflow to, outflow from and changes in storage within a hydrologic system. Table k is a water budget for approximately half of Long Island (refer to Fig. 11) pre- pared by Franke and McClymonds (J_0) . This table is an approximate summary of relations between the components of the hydrologic system under natural condi- tions. Fresh ground water on Long Island, under natural conditions, has a dissolved solids content of less than 50 mg/1 (milligrams per liter) and IS of excellent chemical quality for most uses. The low dissolved solids concentration is due to the generally low solubility of materials in the saturated zone. The pH is generally low (commonly less than 6) which makes the water corrosive to metals and in places the iron content is considerably above the 0.3 mg/1 limit recommended for public supply use (^5) . The ground-water quality in the upper glacial, Magothy and Lloyd hydrogeologic units has been summarized on maps by the U.S. Geological Sur- vey (see Appendix C) . The chemical and physical quality of water at any point within the ground-water reservoir results from the natural geochemical conditions and the effects of man's activities. The average natural ground-water temperature varies from about 50° to 70°F (10-21°C) depending on depth below land surface. The average tem- perature to a depth of about UOO feet is relatively constant and thereafter increases at a rate of about 1°F per hundred feet of depth (5). Seasonal variation in ground-water temperatures in the upper part of the saturated zone ranges from 2° to 20°F. The range in seasonal variation decreases with depth. Man's activities have to various degrees affected the natural hydrologic system by depleting the ground-water reservoir, artifically recharg- ing the ground-water reservoir and changing the ground-water quality. The ground-water reservoir is depleted by (1) irrigation (2) increased direct runoff to streams from urbanized areas (3) disposal of sewage effluent to the ocean and (h) export of water to New York City. The total loss is estimated at 125 mgd in 1965^ 60 percent of which (75 mgd) is discharge of sewage effluent to the ocean (10) . 27 TABLE 3. MAJOR HYDROGEOLOGI C UNITS OF THE GROUND-WATER RESERVOIR ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK Geologic unit Upper Pleistocene depos i ts Hydrogeo!ogic uni t Upper glacial aqu ifer Approximate maximum thickness (feet) 600 Depth from land sur- face to top (feet) 0-50 Gardiners Clay Gardlners Clay 300 50-^00 Jameco Gravel Jameco aquifer 300 100-550 Hatawan-Group Magothy Formation undifferentiated Magothy aquifer 1,100 0-600 Clay Mem- ber Rar i tan Forma- Tion Lloyd Sand Member Rar i tan clay Lloyd aquifer 300 500 0-1,500 200-1,800 Adapted from Franke and McClymonds (1972) and Jensen and Soren (in press) j_/ Hydraulic conductivity denotes how readily water can move through porous material. 0-2,700 28 TABLE 3. MAJOR HYDROGEOLOGI C UNITS OF THE GROUND-WATER RESERVOIR ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK— Continued Physical characteristics of deposits Water-bearing properties Till (mostly along north shore and in moraines) composed of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders. Outwash deposits (mostly between and south of terminal moraines, but also interlayered with till) consist of sand, fine to very coarse, and gravel. Glaciolacustr ine deposits (mostly in central and eastern Long Island) and marine clay (locally along south shore) consist of silt, clay, and some sand and gravel layers; includes "20-foot clay" In southern Nassau County and Queens County. Clay, silt, and few layers of sand and gravel. Altitude of top generally is 50-80 ft below mean sea level. Occurs in Kings and Queens Counties, southern Nassau County, and Suffolk County; similar clay occurs in buried valleys near north shore. Sand, fine to very coarse, and gravel; few layers of clay and silt. Occurs in Kings and Queens Counties, and southern Nassau County; similar deposits occur in buried valleys near north shore. Sand, fine to medium, clayey in part; interbedded with lenses and layers of coarse sand and sandy and solid clay. Gravel is common in basal 50-200 ft. Clay, solid and silty; few lenses and layers of sand; little gravel . Sand, fine to coarse, and gravel, commonly with clayey matrix; some lenses and layers of solid and silty clay. Crystalline metamorphic and igneous rocks. A soft clayey zone of weathered bedrock locally is more than 100 ft thick. Till has low hydraulic conductivity; I'commonly causes perched- water bodies and impedes downward percolation of water to under- lying beds. Outwash deposits have moderate to high hydraulic conductivity; specific capacities of wells tapping them range from about 10 to more than 200 gpm per foot of drawdown. Good to excellent infiltration characteristics. G 1 ac iol acustr ine and marine clay deposits have mostly poor hydraulic conduct ivi tie but locally have thin layers of sand and gravel with moderate hydraulic conductivities; generally retard downward percolation of ground water. Contains fresh water, except near shorelines. Till and marine deposits locally retard salt-water encroachment. Poor hydraulic conductivity; constitutes confining layer for underlying Jameco aquifer. Locally, sand layers yield small quantities of water. Moderate to high hydraulic conductivity; contains mostly fresh water, but brackish water and water with high iron content locally in southeastern Nassau County and southern Queens County. Specific capacities of wells in the Jameco range from about 20 to 150 gpm per foot of d rawdown . Most layers have poor high hydraulic conduct in the Magothy general drawdown, rarely are a in uppermost parts, el excellent quality but south shores. Constlti in western Long Island Has been invaded by sa County and southern Qu shore. to moderate hydraulic conductivity; some have "vity locally. Specific capacities of wells ly range from I to about 30 gpm per foot of IS much as 80 gpm per ft. Water Is unconfined sewhere is confined. Water is generally of has high iron content locally along north and utes principal aquifef for public-supply wells , except Kings County where it is mostly absent. .Ity-ground water locally In southwestern Nassau leens County, and in small areas along north Poor to very poor hydraulic conductivity; constitutes confining layer for underlying Lloyd aquifer. Very few wells produce appre- ciable water from these deposits. Poor to moderate hydraulic conductivity. Specific capacities of wells in the Lloyd generally range from I to about 25 gpm per foot of drawdown, rarely are as much as 50 gpm per ft. Water is confined under artesian pressure by overlying Raritan clay; generally of excellent quality but has high Iron content locally. Has been invaded by salty ground water locally in necks near north shore, where aquifer is mostly shallow and overlying clay discontinuous. Called deep confined aquifer in some earlier reports. Hydraulic conductivity poor to virtually zero; constitutes virtually the lower boundary of ground-water reservoir. Some hard, fresh water is contained In joints and fractures, but is impracticable to develop at most places; however, a few wells near the western edge of Queens and Kings Counties obtain water from the bedrock. 29 TABLE k. WATER BUDGETS OF THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE "WATER BUDGET AREA" OF LONG ISLAND, WATER YEARS 19^0-65 [In millions of gallons per day] Type of water- budget element No. Water-budget element Water-budget area Northern Southern Entire part part Inflow 1 Precipitation - 660 950 1,600 Internal dis- 2 Direct runoff 5 15 20 tribution. 3 Ground-water recharge J. . 320 465 785 4 Ground-water discharge to streams.' 45 275 320 Outflow... 5 Evapotranspiration of precipitation .< 325 470 795 6 Subsurface outflow of ground water. 270 180 450 7 Streamflow discharging to salt water. 50 290 340 8 Evapotranspiration of ground water.' 5 10 15 ' The quantities in this table were derived with the assumption that no significant change in ground-water storage occurred in the water-budget area during the period, water years 1940-66. Independent quantitative estimates were made for all compon- ents in the table unless otherwise noted. None of the values in this table are accurate to more than 2 significant figures, and many values are accurate to less. Where more than 2 significant figures are shown, the entry was derived from other entries in the table, and an additional significant figure was retained to balance inflow and outflow. (See footnotes below.) 2 The estimate of ground-water recharge was obtained by adding components 4, 6, and 8. » The estimate of ground-water discharge to streams was obtained by subtracting component 2 from component 7. * The estimate of evapotranspiration of precipitation was obtained by adding components 6, 7, and 8 and subtracting the total from component 1. Therefore, the subtotal of components 5, 6, 7, and 8 (total outflow) equals component 1 (total inflow) . • These values may be in error by as much as 100 percent or more. Values are in- cluded mainly to indicate order of magnitude. After Franks and McClymonds (1972) Artificial recharge to the ground-water reservoir is from cess- pools, septic tanks, recharge basins, injection wells and leaky water and sewer pipes. The total artificial recharge in Nassau and Suffolk Counties is estimated at 310 mgd in 1965; approximately 68 percent (210 mgd) of which is from cesspools, septic tanks and recharge basins (10) . The quality of ground water has been affected primarily by waste disposal practices that include disposal of sewage and industrial wastes into the ground through septic tanks, cesspools and recharge basins. Dete- rioration of quality has also resulted from the injection of heated water through recharge wells, the discharge of smoke and other particulate matter into the atmosphere, the leaching of fertilizers and salt-water encroachment in areas of overdevelopment. Cohen and others (5) outlined the progressive pattern of ground- water development in Long Island in three stages: 30 Individually owned shallow wells used for water supply and cess- pools used for domestic waste disposal. Public supply wells that tap the deeper artesian hydrogeologic units and use of cesspools for domestic waste disposal. Deep public supply wells and large scale communal sewage collec- tion and disposal systems. It is the third stage of development that has a significant impact. The effect of sewering and subsequent discharge to the ocean dis- rupted the hydrologic balance resulting in large scale salt water encroach- ment and lowered water levels in areas of large-scale pumping (the status of water development in Long Island as of 1966 is shown on Fig. 13). j_ EXPLANATION SUBAREA CHARACTERISTICS A Hydrologic system mainly is in a state of virtual quantitative equilibrium. B Transitional in development between subareas A and C. C Hydrologic system is locally out of balance; local salt-water intrusion. D Hydrologic system is out of balance: widespread salt-water intrusion. E Hydrologic system is out of balance; may be subject to salt-water intrusion in the future. F Ground-water development is negligible, and the hydrologic system is in balance. G Large parts of the subarea are contaminated with salty ground water owing to former intensive ground-water development and related salt-water intrusion. Figure 13. Status of water development in 1966, (1966, Fig. 8). After Heath and others 31 Recent hydrologic appraisals {S, 10) have emphasized that future water management must take into account the balance of the Long Island ground-water reservoir as expressed by the equation: Inflow = Outflow ± changes in storage and have outlined several management alternatives and their consequences. As of I968, the total fresh-water outflow from the ground-water reservoir beneath the water budget area was greater than the inf lowland the amount of fresh ground water in storage was declining. If present management practices continue it is likely that within the water budget area (1) the hydrologic imbalance will increase, (2) ground-water levels will continue to decline, and (3) salty ground water will continue to move slowly inland. The yield of the Long Island ground-water system is not a single fixed number but will vary depending on hydrogeologic conditions, the management scheme, and the extent to which certain undesirable effects of development will be tolerated. A continuous program of hydrologic investigations is essential to provide the information necessary for water management and planning. Pre- sent activities that provide a continuous record of the hydrologic system should be continued and further refined. More intensive study and monitor- ing of water quality are required in various parts of the island and continu- ing efforts should be made to define the shape and areal extent of the hydro- geologic units particularly in eastern Suffolk County. 5.3 The hydrogeologic system on the north shore of Long Island Sound The hydrogeologic information in the subregions of the Long Island Sound Regional Study Area that lie north of the Sound varies in quantity and quality. The most complete information is presently available for Subregions 1, 4 and 5. On-going studies by the U.S. Geological Survey are in various stages of completion in Subregions 2 and 3 whereas the part of Subregion 6 in this area is deficient in data. The principal hydrologic unit on the north shore of the Sound is the river basin drained by a perennial stream. The saturated zone beneath each of these basins constitutes a fresh ground-water reservoir, the boundaries of which are (1) the topographic drainage divides (2) the water table (3) the streams and (k) impermeable bedrock. For small areas that border the coast and are not drained by a stream the interface between fresh and salty ground water is a boundary. The geologic framework of the ground-water reservoirs on Figure ]k includes the upper fractured part of the bedrock and unconsoli- dated layered and unlayered deposits of sand, gravel, silt, clay (termed stratified drift and till respectively). Recharge to each ground-water reservoir under natural conditions is derived solely from precipitation on the drainage basin. The amount and rate of recharge varies from basin to basin and with time. In areas where the surface materials are principally till and bedrock the estimated average annual recharge is approximately 0.3 mgd/mi (million gallons per day per square mile) and in areas covered by stratified drift it is approximately 1 mgd/mi^. Most recharge occurs during the period October through March of each year when vegetation is generally dormant. 32 WATER table: EXPLANATION STRATIFIED DRIFT Till SAND AND GRAVEL SAND. SILT AND CLAY SAND >2 HETEROGENEOUS COMPACT CRYSTALLINE BEDROCK MIXTURE or SAND. GRAVEL. SILT AND CLAY SIZED MATERIAL Figure 14. Block diagram illustrating the general geologic features of a ground-water reservoir on the north shore of Long Island Sound. Adapted from Cervione and others (1972, Fig. 32). The ground-water reservoirs contain at least two and generally three major hydrogeologic units whose properties affect the storage and movement of water. Maps showing the known extent, thickness and hydraulic properties of the most important unit, stratified drift are available for parts of Subregions 1, 4 and 5 in the references cited in the introduction to this section. The important characteristics of all three hydrogeologic units is summarized on Table 5. 33 TABLE 5. MAJOR HYDROGEOLOG I C UNITS OF THE GROUND-WATER RESERVOIRS ON THE NORTH SHORE OF LONG ISLAND SOUND Geologic unit Pleistocene deposits Hydrogeologic unit Stratif ied-drtft aqui fer Triassic sedimentary bedrock Crystalline bedrock Sedimentary-bedrock . aqui fer Crystal 1 ine-bedrock aqui fer Physical characteristics of deposits Unconsolidated sediments composed of inter- bedded layers of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Sites of former glacial lakes contain predominantly very fine sand, silt and clay. Deposits occur principally in valley areas. Maximum known thickness is approximately 300 ft. Unconsolidated nonstratif ied sediment com- posed of various proportions of sand, gravel, silt and clay. D i scent inuous ly mantles bed- rock and is overlain in valley areas by stratified drift. Generally less than 10 ft thick but maximum known thickness exceeds 150 ft. Consol idated sandstones, shales and conglom- erates interbedded with basalt (traprock). Underlies part of Subregion 3. Consolidated crystalline metamorphic and igneous rocks. A soft zone of weathered bedrock locally is more than 100 ft thick. Water-bearir.g properties Most saturated stratified drift has moderate to high hydraulic conductivities.!^ Lacus- ' trine deposits of very fine sand, silt and clay, however, have low hydraulic conductiv- ity. Major water-bearing unit in the area capable of yielding from 50 to over 2000 gpm (gallons per minute) to properly construct- ed individual wells. Estimated long-term yields of selected stratif ied-drift aquifers in Subregions 1, k and 5 range from less than 0.5 to over 15 million gallons per day. Till has low hydraulic conductivity and is generally thin. Shallow wells tapping till formerly used for domestic supply but most proved inadequate for modern demands and were replaced by drilled wells tapping bedrock. Hydraulic conductivity unknown. Contains water-bearing fractures and pores in at least the upper several hundred feet. Water quality locally poor. Yields of wells tapping this aquifer range from less than 1 to 305 gpm. The median yield is approximately 11 gpm and the median specific capacity is approximately 1.3 gpm per foot of drawdown. Hydraulic conductivity unknown. Contains water-bearing fractures in at least the upper 300 ft. Yields of wells range from less than 1 to 200 gpm but yields greater than 20 gpm are rare. The median yield is approximately 7 gpm. ]_/ Hydraulic conductivity denotes how readily water can move through porous material. in order to assess ground-water availability at any given location the major hydrogeologic units have been subdivided or combined according to their ability to yield similar amounts of water to wells. Maps prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey for Subregions 1 through 5 delineate the areas capa- ble of yielding selected amounts of water to individual wells (see Appendix C) . Circulation within each ground-water res shallow. Most ground water moves through the upper zone and discharges principally to streams. A deep may be present in the part of Subregion 3 containing rocks. Ground-water evapotranspi rat ion and subsurfa Sound are the other means of natural discharge from The amount of subsurface outflow has been estimated gallons per year) per mile of coastline in Subregion tern of ground-water circulation under natural condi 3. ervoir is relatively 300 feet of the saturated circulation subsystem saturated sedimentary ce outflow to Long Island the ground-water reservoirs. to be 100 mgy (million 1 (37) . The general pat- tions is shown on Figure Fresh ground water under natural conditions is generally of excellent chemical quality for most uses. Dissolved solids are less than 500 mg/1 with the exception of some ground water in the sedimentary rocks of 3^ Subregion 3. Iron and manganese concentrations commonly exceed the recom- mended limit for public supply use of 0.3 mg/1 and 0.05 mg/1 respectively (kS) . Approximately ^0 percent of the wells tapping stratified drift and crystalline bedrock, sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, had excessive concentrations of iron and/or manganese. Hard to very hard ground water (hardness as CaCOn, greater than 120 mg/1) is common in the sedimentary rocks of Subregion 3 and in parts of Subregions 5 and 6 underlain by bedrock or unconsolidated materials composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate. The distribution of dissolved solids, iron and manganese and hardness of ground water and of streams under conditions of low flow have been summarized on maps for this part of the study region (see Appendix C) . Other natural chemical constituents that are locally present in concentrations exceeding U.S. Public Health Service (kS) or Connecticut State Department of Health (7) recommended limits for drinking water include sodium, fluoride, chloride and sulfate. Most of the reported excess concen- trations of these constituents are from wells tapping the sedimentary bedrock in Subregion 3. In the Connecticut part of the study region, ground water pH is generally between 6 and 8 although values as low as h.k and as high as S.k have been measured. The average ground-water temperature is approximately 50°F and at depths greater than 30 feet fluctuates slightly. Ground water at depths of less than 30 feet however may seasonally vary in temperature by as much as 20° F (27). The effect of man's activities on the hydrologic system, while qualitatively similar to Long Island, are quantitatively different. Hydrolog- ic imbalances resulting from overpumping or impairment of ground-water quality are confined to within the area of a drainage basin. In addi t ion, only a small part of the total water used on the north shore of Long Island Sound is derived from the ground-water reservoirs. For example, in the lower Thames River basin and in southwestern Connecticut approximately 5 to 10 percent of the water used in the mid-1960's was from wells (37> 31) . The two principal activities that result in losses of water from the ground-water reservoirs are (1) disposal of waste water originally derived from wells to streams or the ocean and (2) increased direct runoff to streams in urbanized areas. This loss is greatest in the urbanized coastal areas, but no quantitative estimate of its magnitude has been made. Artificial recharge to the ground-water reservoirs is from septic tanks, leaky water and sewer pipes and from streams and lakes adjacent to centers of ground-water development. Artificial recharge from streams and lakes is a very important factor in sustaining well yields. Most large pub- lic and industrial supply wells tap stratified drift that is hydraul ical ly connected to an adjacent stream. The effects of pumping induce the surface water to move through the streambed material s and into the ground-water reservoir. 35 The quality of ground water has been locally altered by (1) dis- posal to the ground of sewage and industrial effluent and landfill disposal of solid wastes, (2) leaching of fertilizers and deicing compounds, and (3) induced recharge of water from streams and salt-water encroachment in areas of ground-water development. Most cases of pollution are apparently local, but there is no continuing program of monitoring ground-water quality to evaluate long-term changes. The existing pattern of development on the north shore of Long Island Sound consists of: (1) Surface-water reservoirs and well fields tapping stratified- drift deposits that provide water for urbanized areas. Waste disposal is principally by sewage treatment plants that discharge to streams, estuaries and the ocean. (2) Individual wells principally tapping bedrock provide water for rural and many suburban parts of the area. Waste disposal is to septic tanks and cesspools. Both of the above patterns of development may produce hydrologic problems. Large scale ground-water development reduces streamflow in adjacent streams and by lowering the water table can affect lake levels and swamps. During periods of low streamflow, the pumping may even dry up a reach of stream. In the coastal urban centers of New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut pumping over a long period resulted in widespread salt-water encroachment of the strat if ied-dr if t aquifers and subsequent abandonment of many wells. In the less developed areas, septic tank disposal may be inadequate and require sewer- ing or the effluent may deteriorate the ground-water quality. The development and management of ground-water resources must take into account the hydrologic balance between inflow and outflow within each ground-water reservoir. Only small local imbalances exist at the present, primarily because of the small amount of development. Future large scale ground-water development will occur principal- ly in valleys containing thick permeable deposits of stratified drift. In most areas, these deposits are hydraul ical ly connected to adjacent streams and may be termed stream-aquifer systems. The sustained yield of these stream- aquifer systems may vary considerably depending on the scheme of management. For example, estimated yields of several stream-aquifer systems in Subregions 1, 4 and 5 shown on maps prepared for this study (see Appendix C) range from less than 0.5 to over 15 million gallons per day. These yields were predica- ted on a management scheme, the essential elements of which are (1) the water pumped is not returned to the ground-water reservoir or stream near the site of withdrawal, (2) minimal effect on streamflow, and (3) fairly constant rate of pumping. Several alternative management schemes would significantly alter the estimated long-term yields. A continuous program of hydrogeologic investigations is necessary for planning the optimal development and management of both ground- and surface- water resources on the north shore of Long Island Sound. Such a program should 36 Include (1) expanded data collection activities particularly in areas of poten- tial development and existing centers of ground-water pumpage, (2) monitoring of ground-water quality to evaluate long-term changes due to man's activities, (3) determination of the hydraulic properties of stratified drift and sedi- mentary bedrock aquifers, (4) definition of the geometry and pattern of ground- water circulation In the sedimentary bedrock of Subregion 3. 6.0 BRACKISH AND SALT WATER BODIES Salty and brackish waters occupy Long Island Sound, the lower reaches of the streams that drain into the Sound and the coastal and offshore parts of the ground-water reservoirs. This section is concerned with the Sound and saline parts of the estuaries because little is known about the movement of salty ground water in the region. Some geographic features of the Sound such as area and volume have already been noted on pages 5 and 6, and detailed information on the configuration and depth is shown on hydro- graphic charts and bathymetric maps (2J_, kO) published by the National Ocean Survey. Figure 15 shows several geographic features of the Sound and the principal estuaries referred to in this report. Figure 15. Geographic features of Long Island Sound. 37 6. 1 Avai labi 1 i ty of Data Measurements of tides and tidal currents have been made in various parts of Long Island Sound and adjacent estuaries for at least 136 years (33) . The National Ocean Survey (formerly the U.S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey) publishes tide tables of daily tide predictions and tidal current tables on an annual basis (22, 23) . This agency also periodically publishes hydrographic charts and bathymetric contour maps of Long Island Sound (21 , kO) . Information on water movement as well as other aspects of physical oceanography in the Sound and estuaries is contained in numerous publications of Oceanographic institutions and scientific journals, many of which are cited in the list of references. 6.2 Circulation and movement The circulation or movement of water within Long Island Sound and the adjacent estuarine streams is controlled by tides, fresh-water in- flow, winds and other weather conditions, bottom topography and salinity or temperature gradients. The circulation pattern in turn affects the chemical composition of water and sediment distribution within the Sound and estuaries, 72° 00' Figure 16. Tidal currents at the eastern end of Long Island Sound two hours after "slack water" at The Race. Speed of currents in knots at time of spring tides. 38 I Long Island Sound is technically described as a co-oscillating tidal basin (33) characterized by minimum tidal range and maximum tidal cur- rent at its mouth and maximum tidal range and minimal tidal currents at the almost closed western end. At the eastern passage known as The Race the tidal range is 2.5 feet and the maximum currents are over 5 knots (5.8 mph) . The tide range increases to the west, whereas the current velocities decrease. The dominant horizontal motion of the waters of the Sound are the semidiurnal tidal currents. The direction and speed of tidal currents in the upper waters at the time of full moon and under normal weather conditions are shown on tidal current charts prepared by the National Ocean Survey (22) . An example of tidal surface currents at the eastern end of the Sound is shown on Figure 16. While the tidal circulation pattern of the surface and near sur- face waters is well defined relatively little is known about the deep current circulation. Tidal currents shown on such charts are subject to modification by nontidal currents due to winds and fresh water inflow from rivers. For example offshore and onshore winds modify the currents along the coast and during periods of very high runoff the fresh water inflow from the Connecticut River creates a distinct plume of lighter and fresher water that moves gener- ally eastward toward Block Island Sound (29» 51 » 52). 10 20 30 I. \ / 1 FLOOD ^— EBB O — — o J^ J\ cr 60 go 100 120 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND 140 160 Figure 17. Observations of tidal current speed at various depths, ments made at an anchor station in east-central Long Island Sound (Lat 4l°11.9'N, Long. 72°29.^'W) in 1953. After Riley (1956, Fig. Measure- 7) 39 Measurements of both surface and bottom currents over many tidal cycles (33i ^9) show that in the central part of the Sound the tidal current patterns are elliptical and counterclockwise in direction. Because of the effect of coastal topography, tidal currents along the coast are almost paral- lel to the shoreline. The significant vertical differences in tidal currents are that ebb tides are stronger at the surface than at depth and flood tides are weaker at the surface than at depth as shown on Figure 17. In the deep water of the central Sound tidal current speeds regularly exceed 30 centi- meters per second (1 foot per second) near the bottom (written communication, Gordon and Pilbeam, 1973). The eastern part of Long Island Sound contains a two-layered trans- port system where a less dense, less saline surface layer moves eastward into Block Island Sound at an average speed of 2.8 nautical miles per day. This water is replaced by more saline and dense bottom water that flows westward into Long Island Sound at an average speed of 0.6 nautical miles per day. Recent investigations on currents at the eastern end of the Sound (5^) indi- cate (1) that there is a predominant inflow in the lower two thirds of the water column in deep portions of The Race over a tidal cycle, (2) there is a net outflow in the shallower remainder of the eastern passage between Orient Point and Fishers Island, and (3) the inflow and outflow pattern suggest there is a tidal-driven counterclockwise circulation in the eastern third of Long Island Sound. Detailed information on the duration and variability of the two-layered transport system at the eastern margin of the Sound is not yet available. The interchange although complex in detail is apparently controlled by the fresh-water inflow. The total annual inflow of water from Block island Sound has been tentatively estimated at 3.8 times the total volume of Long Island Sound (29) . Moving westward into the central part of the Sound the circula- tion system becomes less dynamic. There is decreasing transport in the bottom layers principally because of upwelling and near shore mixing. Accord- ing to Gordon and Pilbeam (written communication, 1973), the bottom water flows westward into the central Sound principally along the north side of Six Mile Reef near CI inton, becomes mixed with Connecticut River water and follows a west-southwest course along the Connecticut shore. Inshore of the 10-fathom (60 foot) curve the flow is toward the coast. The nontidal flow rate of near bottom waters is as high as 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) per tidal cycle in the deeper water and decreases toward either shore. Recent studies {]k) indicate that upwelling of bottom waters occurs along the Connecticut shore between New Haven and Old Saybrook and in coastal Long Island between Mattituck inlet and Orient Point. There is also an offshore movement of surface water away from the Connecticut coast. The net flow of near-surface waters is eastward from the central to the eastern part of the Sound. The general net flow pattern for eastern and east-central Long Island Sound is shown on Figure 18. Hardy (11) characterized the waters of the central part of the Sound, west of the Mattituck Sill (see Fig. 15), as seasonally homogeneous probably because of vertical mixing due to tidal currents and wind. Mixing between the bottom and surface waters occurs along both shores and in the vicinity of Six Mile Reef (written communication, Gordon and Pilbeam, 1973). Salinity stratification, however exists at least part of the time in the central Sound. 40 mVERHE/IO LONG ISLAND ATLANTIC OCEAN Figure 18. Conceptualized view of the essential features of the net flow in eastern Long Island Sound and Block island Sound. Black arrows depict net bottom flow and white arrows net surface flow. After Hollman and Sandberg (1972). Water fl Bottom water enters Shoal (wr i tten commu fresh water enters f of water from the Ea less than the origin transport system at ly fresh water flowi north shore of Long River. ows into western Long Island Sound from both directions. from the east principally in the area south of Stratford nication, Gordon and Pilbeam, 1973) while relatively rom the East River. The recently verified net transport st River into Long Island Sound {]]_) may be significantly al estimate of 1100 cubic meters per second (29). The the western end of the Sound is two-layered with relative- ng eastward into the Sound and then primarily along the Island while bottom water flows westward into the East Western Long Island Sound waters are reported to be well mixed internally but poorly mixed with the water to the east. From Hempstead Sill (see Fig. 15) to the East River, however, the water exhibits vertical tempera- ture, salinity and density stratification (11). k] Riley (28, 29) and others have attempted to estimate the residual volume transport through various parts of the Sound or for one cross section for various periods of time. Because of incomplete data the calculations are very uncertain and continuous monitoring of currents are required to give reasonable estimates of transport. The vertical movement of the water surface in the Sound results from the periodic tidal oscillations, from waves produced by wind and over long periods by changes in sea level. Factors influencing the heights of tides, abnormally high tides and storm generated waves are discussed in a separate report prepared for this study by the Dept. of the Army, Corps of Engineers (39) . Long-term changes in sea level over the last 10,000 to 15,000 years have produced extensive submergence of the coast (2). Tide gage records and tidal benchmark data indicate that sea level may still be rising at a rate of approximately 1 foot per century. 6.3 Estuaries Estuaries are sometimes defined as the seaward ends of river valleys that contain salty water.' Ocean tides affect the streamflow and flow may be either upstream or downstream depending on location, tide and fresh water inflow conditions. The major estuaries in the region are the Connecticut, Thames, Housatonic and Quinnipiac. Studies {Sj ]Sj 32) indicate that there is a two-layer transport system in the lower parts of these estuaries. Fresh water flows seaward near the surface while the tides move denser saline water upstream along the river bottom. Salinity generally increases downstream and top to bottom at any point in the brackish part of the estuary. The distribution of salinity changes with the tidal stage and the amount of fresh water inflow. In the largest estuary, the Connecticut, saline water may reach 15 miles upstream from the mouth (J6} and tidal effects may extend upstream approximately 60 miles. The upstream extent of salinity and tidal influence is generally controlled by the amount of fresh-water inflow. During periods of high fresh-water inflow (greater than 100,000 cfs), saline water is flushed to the mouth of the river and the tide-affected reach extends upstream only 30 miles. Figure 19 shows the effect of different river discharge conditions on chemical quality. In the second largest estuary, the Thames, tidal effects and saline water extend upstream to Norwich. Information on the salinity dis- tribution and its variability in this estuary is contained in a recent report by Soderberg and Bruno (32) . The Housatonic and Quinnipiac estuaries extend upstream 12 and 10 miles respectively. 1 - Another commonly used definition is: a semi -enclosed coastal body of water which has a free connection with the open sea and within which sea water is measurably diluted with fresh water derived from land drainage. k2 East Haddam Bridge Essex ISaybrook IShoal Bridge o/o, o;,' ■ /^^rXTf^^m^ ^i ''^' ''''- 57 m'/sec (2000cfs) .y j/r^yj^^ 0,01 q.i ■ ^v -fl-^eV/^^o^^,^ 29 Sep 1935 168 mVsec (5920 cfs) '001 OI'J 18 Aug 1935 218 mVsec (7710 cfs) 25 July 1935 264 mVsec (9320 cfs) 12 Jun 1935 504 m'/sec (17,800 cfs) 0.01 13 Apr 1937 01 907 mVsec (32 ,500 cfs) Figure 19. Chlorinity at high slack water in the lower part of the Connecti- cut River during different river-discharge conditions. Chloride concentra- tion in parts per thousand. Indicated discharge is for previous day at Thompsonvi 1 le, Connecticut. After Meade (1966, Fig. 3). Major estuaries and adjacent parts of the Sound receive a large proportion of the pollutants entering the region and are therefore areas of critical concern. The movement of water in estuaries is complex in that it is controlled to various degrees by tidal motion and fresh-water inflow. Flow information sufficient to permit predictions of the amount of pollutants and the rate of transport through an estuarine reach and into the Sound is generally not available. At present, continuous stage information in tide affected rivers is restricted to the 25-mile long reach of the Connecticut River between Hartford and Middle Haddam. This data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey can produce flow information such as stage, upstream and downstream discharge, water-surface profile and flushing time at any location in a reach and for any period of time. Limited flow data is available for a 45-mile reach between Wilson and Essex while flow is continuously computed for a 4-mile reach between Middletown and Middle Haddam. 43 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 The worst water quality in the Sound is probably in the metropolitan harbors where the direct pollution effects on people are the most intense. In addition to upgrading waste treatment systems, extending out- falls into the Sound is sometimes suggested. Our existing, generally poor knowledge of circulation patterns might still be able to tell us something about this approach, and more detailed localized knowledge should be collected. (4) By articulating the highest priority research needs. Foremost among these are (a) the currently inadequate quanti- fication of the dynamic circulation system within the Sound and major estuaries especially at the western end of the Sound, (b) the lack of climatologic data in the area over the Sound itself, (c) the need to continually monitor the hydrologic system of Long Island, and (d) the need for quantitative hydro- geologic data on the mainland part of the study region. The study team will evaluate the importance of the data deficiencies and make specific recommendations for programs to acquire necessary information. The proposed programs will consider on- going studies and where possible be integrated with them. k5 APPENDIX A SELECTED REFERENCES I.. Barksddle, H, C, D. O'Bryan and W. J. Schneider. Effect of Drought on Water Resources in the Northeast. U.S. Geo). Survey Hydrologic Atlas Zki, 1966. 2. Bloom, A. L. and M. Stulver. Submergence of the Connecticut Coast. Science, v. 139, No. 3552, I963, pp. 332-33^. 3. Brumbach, J. J. The Climate of Connecticut, Connecticut Geol. Nat. History Survey Bull. 99, 1965, 215 Pp. U. Cervione, M. A., Jr., D. L. Mazzaferro and ft. L. Melvin, Water Resources Inventory of Connecticut, Part 6, Upper Housatonic River Basin. Connecticut Water Resources Bult. No. 21, I97Z, S** pp. 5. Cohen, P., 0. L. Franke and B. L. Foxworttiy. An Atlas of Long Island's Water Resources. New York State Water Resources Comm. Bull. 62, 1968, 117 pp. 6. Cohen, P., 0. L. Franke and N. E. McClymonds. Hydrologic Effects of the 1962-66 Drought on Long Island, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey Water-supply Paper 1879-F, 1969, I8 pp. 7. Connecticut State Department of Health. Analyses of Connecticut Public Water Supplies, 7th edition, 1971, 67 pp. 8. De Luca, F. A., J. C. Hoffman, and E. R. Lubke. Chloride Concen- tration and Temperature of the Waters of Nassau County, Long Island, New York. New York State Water Resources Comm. Bull. 55, 1965, 35 pp. 9. Duxbury, A. C. A Hydrographic Survey of New Haven Harbor 1962-1963. Connecticut Water Resources Bull. No. 3A, \3(>i*, 18 pp. 10. Franke, 0, L. and N. E. McClymonds. Summary of the Hydrologic Situa- tion on Long Island, New York as a Guide to Water-Management Alternatives. U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 627-F, 1972, 59 pp. 1). Hard^ C. D. Movement and Quality of Long Island Sound Waters. Tech. RepK No. 17, Mar. Sci. Res. Cent., State University of New York, Stony Brook, 1972, 66 pp. 12. Heath, R. C, B. L. Foxworthy and P. Cohen. The Changing Pattern of Ground-Water Development on Long Island, New York. U.S. Geol. Sur- vey Circular 52i|, I966, ID pp. 13. Hershfield, 0. H. Rainfall-Frequency Atlas of the United States for Durations from 30 Minutes to 2l* Hours and Return Periods from I to 100 Years. U.S. Weather Bureau Tech. Paper 40, 1961, 115 PP- I'l. Hollman, R. and G. R. Sandberg. The Residual Drift in Eastern Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. New York Ocean Sc I . Lab. Technical Rept. No. 0015, 1972, 19 Pp. 15. Crutche.-, H. L. and J. T. Quinlan. Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Strike Probabilities, v. 1, 24-Hour Movement, v. 11, ^S-Hour Movement, V. in, 72-Hour Movement. NOAA, Environmental Data Service, 1971. 16. Meade, R. H. Salinity Variations in the Connecticut River. Water Resources Research, v, 2, No. 3, 1966, pp. 567-579- 17. Miller, J. F. and R. H. Frederick. The Precipitation Regime of Long Island, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 627-A, 1969, 21 pp. 18. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service. CI imatological Data, New England and C1 imatological Data, New York, issued monthly. 19. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service. Water Supply Outlook for the Northeastern United States, issued monthly, . Average Monthly Weather Outlook, issued nthly. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Sur- vey (formerly U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey). Nautical Charts for Long Island Sound Region, issued periodically. Contained in Nautical Chart Catalog No. 1 NOS, 1973- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Sur- vey {formerly U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey). Tidal Current Charts, Block Island Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound, 1st ed., 1972, 29 pp. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Sur- vey (formerly U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey), Tide Tables, High and Low Water Predictions, issued annually. East Coast of North and South America including Greenland. Palmer, W. C, Meteorological Drought. U.S. Weather Bureau Research Paper No. U5., 1965. PerlmuCter, N. M. and F. A. DeLuca. Availability of Fresh Ground Water, Montauk Point Area, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper I6I3-B, 1963, 39 pp. Perlmutter, N. M, and J. J. Geraghty. Geology and Ground-Water Con- ditions In Southern Nassau and Southeastern Queens Counties, Long Island, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper I613-A, 1963, 205 pp. U2. 43. Randall, A. D., M. P. Thomas, C. E. Thomas, Jr. and J. A. Baker. Water Resources Inventory of Connecticut, Part I, Quinebaug River Basin. Connecticut Water Resources Bull. No. 8. 1966. 10? pp Riley, G. A. Hydrographic and Biologic Studies of Block Island Sound, Hydrography of the Long Island and Block Island Sounds- Bull, Bingham Oceanogr. Coll., \^ (3), 1952, pp. 5-39. . Oceanography of Long Island Sound, 1952-1954, II. Physical Oceanography. Bull. Bingham Oceanogr. Coll., v. 15, 1956, pp. 15-46. . Transport and Mixing Processes in Long Island Sound. Bull. Bingham Oceanogr. Coll., v. 19, 1967, pp. 35-61. Ryder, R. B., M. A. Cervione, Jr., C. E. Thomas, Jr. and M. P. Thomas, Water Resources Inventory of Connecticut, part 4, Southwestern Coast- al River Basins; Connecticut Water Resources Bull. No. 17, 1970, 54 pp. Soderberg, E. F. and A. B. Bruno. Salinity Distribution in Ihe Thames River, New London to Norwich, Connecticut. Naval Underwater Sys- tems Center Report No. 4005, 1971, 87 pp. Swanson, R. L. Some Aspects of Currents in Long Island Sound. Un- published Doctoral Dissertation, Oregon State University, 1971, 150 pp. Swarzenski, W. U. Hydrology of Northwestern Nassau and Northeastern Queens Counties, Long Island, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey Water- Supply Paper 1657, 1963, 90 pp. Thorn, H, C. S. Distribution of Extreme Winds in the United States, Amer. Soc . Civil Eng. Trans., v. 126, pt 2, I96I, pp. 450-466. Thomas, M. P., G. A. Bednar, C. E. Thomas, Jr. and W. E. Wilson, Water Resources Inventory of Connecticut, part 2, Shetucket River Basin Connecticut Water Resources Bull. No. II, 1967, 96 pp. Thoiras, C. E., Jr., H. A. Cervione, Jr. and I . G. Grossman, Water Resources Inventory of Connecticut, part 3, Lower Thames and South- eastern Coastal River Basins. Connecticut Water Resources Bull. No. 15, 1968, 105 pp. Thomas, H, E. The Heteorologic Phenomana of Drought in the Southwest. U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 372-A, 1962, 42 pp. U.S. Dept. of the Army, Corps of Engineers. Tidal hydrology. Long Island Sound Interim Memo. No. COE 2, 1973, 14 pp. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (now National Ocean Survey) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bathymetric maps, Long Island Sound, 1967, 0808N-53, O8O8N-55. U.S. Geological Survey. Water Resources Data for Connecticut. Issued annual ly . Water Resources Data for New Yo Water Resources Conditions in Ci Issued annually. lecticut. Issisd Water Resources Summar' Long Island, N.Y. 47. 48. 49. U.S. Public Health Service. Dr i nki ng Water Standards, 1962: U.S. Public Health Service Pub. 956, 1962, 6I pp. U.S. Weather Bureau, Climatic Guide for New York City, New York and Nearby Areas. CI Imatography of the United States No. 40-26, 1958.. Climates of the States, New York: CI imatography of the United States 60-30, I960. Meade, R, H. The Coastal Environment of New England. New England River Basins Comm., 1971, 47 pp. Gordon, R. B. and C. Pllbeam, Tides and Circulation in Central Long Island and Sound (abstract). E © S, Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, V. 54, No. 4, 1973, pp 301-302. LeLacheur, E. A. and J. C. Sammons, Tides and Currents in Long Island and Block Island Sounds. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Spec. Publication No. 174, 1932, pp 1-184. Garvlne, R. W. Physical Features of the Connecticut River Outflow during High Discharge j_n Determination of Budgets of Heavy Metal Wastes in Long Island Sound, 1st Annual Rept., pt. II, appendix 0, Univ. of Conn. Marine Sci. Inst., pp D-1-54. fluggles, F. H,, Jr. Plume Development In Long Island Sound Observed by Remote Sensing (ERTS-l) _hi Symposium on Significant Results Obtained from the Earth Resources Technology Sate1IIte-l, NASA SP-327 v. I, sec. fl, 1973, PP I299-I303. Paskausky, D. F., A. J. Nawalk and D. L, Murphy. Circulation In Eastern Long Island Sound J_n Determination of Budgets of Heavy Metal Wastes In Long Island Sound, 1st Annual Rept., pt. I, appendix C, Univ. of Conn. Marine Sci. Inst., pp C-1-24. A-1 APPENDIX B GLOSSARY Air mass - A widespread body of air, the properties of which can be identified as having been established while that air was situated over a particular region of the earth's surface and having undergone specific niodi f ications while in transit away from the source region. Anticyclone - An atmospheric closed clockwise circulation. Because clockwise circulation and high atmospheric pressure usually coexist, the terms anticyclone and high are used interchangeably in common practice. Artesian conditions - Ground water that is under sufficient pressure to rise above the level at which it is encountered by a well, but which does not necessarily rise to or above the surface of the ground. Bathymetr ic - Relating to measurement of depths; usually applied to the ocean. Bedrock - The solid rock, commonly called "ledge," that forms the earth's crust. Chemical quality of water - The quantity and kinds of material in suspen- sion or solution and the resulting water properties. Chlor ini ty - The chloride content of sea water, measured by mass, or grams per kilogram of sea water, and including all the halides. CI imat ic year - A continuous 12-month period, April 1 through March 31, during which a complete annual streamflow cycle takes place from high flow to low and back to high flow. It is designated fay the calendar year in which it begins. Continuous-record gaging station - A site on a stream at which continuous measurements of stream stage are made by automatic equipment or made man- ually at least once a day. These records are converted to daily flow after calibration by flow measurements. Cubic feet per second (cfs) - A unit expressing rate of discharge. One cubic foot per second is equal to the discharge of a stream 1 foot wide 1 toot deep flawing at an average velocity of 1 foot per second. Cycloqenesi s - Any development or strengthening of cyclonic circulation in the atmosphere. Cyclone - An atmospheric closed counterclockwise circulation. Seven-day ten-year low flow - The mean daily stream flow for seven consec- utive days occurring on an average once in ten years. Degree day - Generally, a measure of the departure of the mean daily tem- perature from a given standard: one degree day for each "f of departure above or below the standard during one day. Degree days are accumulated over a "season" at any point during which the total can be used as an index of past temperature effect upon some quantity, such as plant growth, fuel consumption, power output, etc. Pi ssolved sol ids - The residue from a clear sample of water after evapo- ration and drying for one hour at l80''C; consist primarily of dissolved mineral constituents, but may also contain organic matter and water of crystal 1 izat ion. Drainage area of a stream at a specified location is that area, measured in a horizontal plane, enclosed by a topographic divide from which direct surface runoff from precipitation normally drains by gravity into the stream above the specified point. Estuary - A bay, as the mouth of a riverj where the tide meets the river current, Evapotranspiration - Discharge of water to the atmosphere by direct evapo- ration from the land and by transpiration from plants. Extratropical cyclone - Any cyclonic-scale storm that is not a tropical cyclone. Frequency - The rate of recurrence of an event in periodic motion: The number of times a specified event occurs in a given series of observations. Ground water - Uater in the saturated zona. Ground-water discharge - The discharge of water from the saturated zone by 1) natural processes sUch as ground-water runoff and ground-water evapo- transpiration and 2^ discharge through wells and other man-made structures. Ground-water divide t A 1 ine on a water table on each side of which the water table slopes downward in a direction away from the line. In the vertical dimension, a plane across which there is no ground-water flow. Ground-water outflow - All natural ground-water discharge from a drain- age area exclusive of ground-water evapotranspiration. Hardness, of water - The property of water generally attributable to salts of the alkaline earths. Hardness has soap-consuming and encrusting pro- perties and is expressed as the concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCOo) that would be required to produce the observed effect. Hydraulic conductivity - A measure of the ability of a porous medium to transmit a fluid. Hydrogeology - The science that deals with subsurface waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters. Impermeable - Having a texture that -does not permit water to move through it perceptibly under the head differences ordinarily found in subsurface water. Induced recharcje - The amount of water entering an aquifer from an adja- cent surface-water body by the process of induced infiltration. Injection wel 1 - A well into which water is pumped. Isotherm - A line of ^ual or constant temperature. Isopleth - A line on a map connecting points at which a given variable has a specified constant value. Knot - The unit of speed In the nautical system; one nautical mile per hour. It is equal to 1.1508 statute miles per hour or 0.51'+'* meters per second. Milliqrams per liter (mq/1) - A unit for expressing the concentration of chemical constituents in solution by weight per unit volume of water. Palmer Drought Index - Provides a measure of drought severity as well as duration. It treats drought severity as a function of accumulated weighted differences between actual precipitation and the precipitation requirements, where the requirement depends on the carryover of previous rainfall as well as on the evapotranspiration, moisture recharge and run- off that would be climatically appropriate for the particular time and place being investigated. Perennial stream - A stream that flows during alt seasons of the year. pH - The negative logarithm of the hydrogen-ion concentrations. Ordinar- ily a pH value of 7.0 indicates that the water is at Its neutral point; values lower than 7-0 denote acidity, those above 7-0 denote alkalinity. Recharge - The amount of water that Is added to the saturated zone. Recurrence interval - The average interval of time between extremes of streamflow, such as floods or droughts, that will at least equal in severity a particular extreme value over a period of many years. FrequencVf a related term, refers Eo the average number of such extremes during the same period. The date of a drought or flood of a given magni- tude cannot be predicted, but the probable number of such events during a reasonably long period of time may be estimated within reasonable limits of accuracy. Runoff - That part of the precipitation that appears In streams. It is the same as streamflow unaffected by artificial diversions, storage, or other works of man in or on the stream channels. Sal ini ty - A measure of the quantity of total dissolved solids in water. Salt-water encroachment - The phenomenon occurring when a body of salt water, because of its greater density, invades a body of fresh water. Saturated thickness - Thickness of an aquifer below the water table. Saturated zone - The subsurface zone in which all open spaces are filled with water. The water table is the upper limit of this zone and the water in it is under pressure greater than atmospheric. Sedimentary rock - Rocks formed by the accumulation of sediment. Specific capacity, of a well - The rate of discharge of water divided by the corresponding drawdown of the water level in the well (gpm/ft) . Stratified drift - A predominantly sorted sediment laid doun by or in meltwater from a glacier; includes sand and gravel and minor amounts of silt and clay arranged in layers. Ti 1 1 - A predominantly nonsorted, nonstrat I f led sediment deposited direct- ly by s glacier and composed of boulders, gravel, sand, silt, and clay mixed in various proportions. Tropical cyclone - The general term for a cyclone that originates over the tropical oceans. Fully mature tropical cyclones range in size from 60 miles in diameter to well over 1,000 miles in diameter. Uater table - The upper surface of the saturated zone. Hater year - A continuous period October I through SsptanibEr 30 during which a complete streamflow cycle takes place from low to high flew and back to low flci'j. A water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends. Wind rose - Any one of a class of diagrams designed to show the distribu- tion of vjind direction experienced at a given location over a considerable period; it thus shows the prevailing wind direction. B=1 APPENDIX C HYDROLOGIC AND CLIMATOLOGIC MAPS, GRAPHS AND TABLES PREPARED FOR THE LONG ISLAND SOUND REGIONAL STUDY Copies are on file at the offices of the New England River Basins Commission 1. Flood Prone Area Maps for the following quadrangles in Subregions I. 2, 3, *♦ and 5. Scale I 2*1,000. Ansonia Haddam New Haven Scotland Clinton Jewetl City Naugatuck Southbury Colchester Long Hill Norwalk North Wallingford Deep River Meriden Norwich We^tporl Essex Middle Haddam old Lyme Uillimantic Gui Iford Hoodus Plainf ield II. Hydrologic maps for Subregions 6, 7, 8 and 9; all maps at 1 125,000 or I :25O,000 scale. Lines of equal thickness - Hagothy aquifer Contours of the upper glacial aquifer Contours on the surface of the Magothy aquifer Contours on the surface of the Raritan clay Contours on the surface of the Lroyd aquifer Contours on the surface of the bedrock Elevation of water tables, March 1971 Piezometric surface of Lloyd aquifer, January 1972 selected geohydrolog ic sections Piezometric surface at the base of the Magothy aquifer, March, 1972 a. Cross section of Long Island: Approximate time for ground water to travel along section c-c from water table b. The relation of heads of major aquifers Isopach of Raritan day of the Raritan Formation Isopach of Lloyd aquifer Water quality of the Magothy aquifer Isopach of saturated upper glacial aquifer Hean-annual flow of all gaged streams Mean-monthly flow of continuously gaged streams Water quality of the Lloyd aquifer Water quality of the upper glacial aquifer Estimated average hydraulic conductivity of Magothy aquifer Estimated average hydraulic conductivity of upper glacial aquifer Patterns of ground-water development Estimated average hydraulic conductivity of Lloyd aquifer Transmissibi I i ty of Lloyd aquifer Locations of stream gaging stations Net change of ground-water levels as a result of the 1962-66 drought Location of recharge basins in Naussau and Suffolk Counties, Long Island, III. Hydrologic tables and maps for Subregions 1, 2, 3, k and S. Ground-water availability; I 62,500 scale. Drainage areas; 1 2*1,000 scale. Average yearly runoff, 1 62,500 scale. Monthly average runoff, peak runoff (return periods of) 100, 50, 25, 2 years, 7 day-10 year runoff; 1-62,500 scale. Time of travel - Quinnipiac River (table) Time of travel - Connecticut River (table) Distribution of dissolved solids in ground water and streams at low flow; 1 125.000 scale. Distribution of iron and manganese in ground water and streams at low flow; 1 125,000 scale. Distribution of hardness of ground water and streams at low flow; I 125,000 scale. IV. Three maps shewing locations of tidal bench marks for New York and Connecticut. V. Three lists of differences between Sea-Level Datum of 1929 (SLD) and mean low water (MLW) for each location where tidal bench marks and geodetic bench marks of the precise level net have been connected by spirit levels. VI. Thirty-one tidal bench mark sheets giving descriptions to aid in recovery of the marks and tide information. Mean high water (MHW) and mean tide level (MIL) are given as related to MLW. Mean range can be obtained as the difference between MHW and MLW. VII. Tide Tables, East Coast of North and South America showing time and differences in relation to reference stations as well as ranges. Nos. 1187-1263 and 133l-l'*07 are applicable to Long Island Sound. A. Tidal current charts for: Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound Slock Island Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound Western Long Island Sound (will be available in January 197**) B. Tidal current diagrams for 1973 to accompany the above charts IX. Volume of water in Long Island Sound X. Bathymetric data A. Bathymetric contour maps of Long Island Sound (C t CS 0808n-5l, 53, and 55) S. Fourteen hydrographic survey sheets of surveys conducted within Long Island Sound since the compilation of the Bathymetric maps H-89i»9 (1967) H-8997 (1968I H-9O88 (1969) ■ H-8951 (1967) H-9008 (1968) H-9089 (1969) '' H-8952 (1967) H-9093 (1968) H-908I (1970) ' H-8967 (1967) H-9030 (1968) H-9012 (1971) H-8996 (1968) H-9O87 (1969) These sheets are in the process of being verified. C. Nautical-charts C 6 CS 1212 Long Island Sound eastern part C 6 CS 1211 Block Island Sound C & GS 1213 Long Island Sound western part Fresh water inflcM into Long Island Sound Map of New York State sewage treatment facilities discharging to ing Island Sound A. Reference to bedrock, surficial deposits and ground-water resources of New York State in the Long Island Sound Study area. B. List of Geological publications of the New York Stale museum C. Resume of investigations of the marine geology of the environs of Long Island, New York Listing of the available historical precipitation data. Bedrock contour maps of major river estuaries, 1 21*, 000 scale, A. Bedrock contour map of the New London quadrangle B- Bedrock contour map of the New Haven quadrangle C. Bedrock contour map of the Mi Iford quadrangle D. Bedrock contour map of the Old Lyme quadrangle CI Imatological maps and graphs Mean annual temperature Mean annual temperature range Annual march of the standard deviation of mean temperatures for 5 stations Long-term variations in precipitation at New London, Conn., water years 1887-1967 Long-term variations in precipitation at New Haven, Conn., water years 1887-1967 Mean annual snowfall Average length of the freeze free season (in days) Observed frequency of tropical storm and hurricane occurrence in and near the Long Island Sound Study area Maximum annual number of thunderstorms Mean monthly radiation at Central Park, N.Y., Sayville, L,l, and Newport, R.I. Annual march of mean cloudiness in tenths for 2 stations on Long Island Wind roses for each of four seasons at 5 stations CI imatological tables Monthly and annual mean max imum temperature Monthly and annual mean minimum temperature Monthly and annual mean temperature Monthly and annual extreme maximum temperature statistics Monthly and annual extreme minimum temperature statistics Monthly and annual mean, greatest and least number of days with maxi- mum fmperature less than or equal to 32", *t5°, 80", 90°F Monthly and annual mean, greatest and least numbers of d.-iys with mini- mum temperatures less than or equal to hS" , 36°, 32°, 2W , 16", 0"F Air conditioning design data Air conditioning critera data Heating design data Mean monthly and seasonal heating degree-days (base 65"F) Mean monthly and seasonal cooling degree-days (base 65"F) Probability dates of last spring and first fall occurrence of 32°, 2k , and 16' F Mean monthly and seasonal growing degree-days (base 50"F) Mean monthly and seasonal growing degree-days (base '40°F) Monthly and annual greatest, least and mean number of days with tem- perature moving through the 32"F threshhold ( f reeze-thaw) Expected recurrence intervals of maximum point rainfall amounts Extreme 2*4-hour precipitation statistics Extreme 2U-hour snowfall statistics Greatest monthly and annual precipitation for entire period of record Least monthly and annual precipitation for entire period of record Mean, greatest and least monthly and annual number of days with pre- cipitation equal to or greater than ,01, .10, .50 and 1.00 inches Mean and greatest monthly and seasonal snowfall Mean and greatest monthly and annual number of days with snowfall equal to or greater than 1, 2, 1* and 8 inches Snow cover statistics and probabilities Probability that an existing tropical cyclone centered at a specified latitude and longitude in the month shown will be within the Long Island Sound Study area after 72, I48 and 2U hours Chronology of Long Island Sound Study area tornadoes Humidity statistics for I* stations for January, April, July and October Frequency of occurrence of sky cover Distribution of runs of dry days C-1 APPENDIX D LOCATION OF STATIONS USED IN LONG ISLAND SOUND REGION CL 1 MATOLOG I CAL ANALYSIS. STATIONS IN PRIMARY NETWORK INDICATED BY SOLID CIRCLES. ^ Q tr o 2 o 2 ! O m 3 i lu ^ r ' 3 S o c^ > Q !r uj oj-'hI « g OC ClUZ 9 3 tn mfe5 < to CO MC D-1 APPENDIX E SUMMARY OF DISCHARGE RECORDS FOR MAINLAND STREAMS 1J 4) — m ID z 6 0) J- — o^ -J C (D I- "'OO m 3 (D ^ « C X ™ ^ = " .n — o — 0) I/I • I S3 0) k. c o E tn 3 -a- c m E-1 COORDINATING GROUP LONG ISLAND SOUND REGIONAL STUDY As of the date of this report New England River Basins Commission State of Connecticut Conn. Coastal Zone Management Committee Connecticut Office of State Planning State of New York Interstate Sanitation Commission Tri-State Regional Planning Commission Atomic Energy Commission Department of Agriculture Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Department of Commerce Department of Housing and Urban Develop'nt Department of the Interior Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Federal Power Commission Nassau-Suffolk Regional Planning Board Citizen Advisory Committee Research/Planning Advisory Committee Study Manager -'■'R. Frank Gregg Zell Steever Senator George L. Gunther Horace Brown Edward A. Karath Thomas R. Glenn Richard DeTurk Walter Belter Robert Hill iard John W. Lesl ie Russel T. Norris Nick M. Nibi Mark Abel son Captain A. T. Durgin Walter M. Newman Martin Inwald Lee E. Koppelman Roger Shope Lawrence E. Hinkle, Jr. '-'wVDavid A. Burack "Chairman - ^'"VExecutive Secretary WORK GROUP ON SOURCES AND MOVEMENT OF WATER National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adm. U.S. Geological Survey U.S.D.A., Soil Conservation Service U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers U.S. Coast Guard State of Connecticut State of New York Citizens Advisory Committee Research/Planning Advisory Committee "Cochairman "John H. Thomas Joseph J. Brumbach Bruce Keck "Frederick Ruggles Robert Melvin F. P. Haeni Ellis Koch D. A. Philbrook Arthur F. Doyle Cdr. C. R. Lindquist Whitney Beals Randolph M. Stel Ie Edward F. Brickell Roger Shope Frank Bohlen ^:;t-;?.^r j^^iT^" ;^^- ^^^s^:. >^^-^s ^^*^ *m- ^ii^^ ^m^