Understanding the Barnegat Bay Estuary
such as seagrasses, turtles and
crabs
Salinity Levels Along an Estuary
Ocean RiverFresh water flow
Salinity Patterns Along the Estuary
BARNEGAT BAY ESTUARY
Surface Water Inputs to Barnegat Bay
Barnegat Bay’s watershed is essentially all of Ocean County
Slope is gradual from 800 feet on western edge to sea level in the East
Sub-watersheds contain broad, slowly-flowing rivers and streams
Aquifers Water-bearing rock
readily transmits water to wells and springs
Precipitation eventually adds water into the porous rock of the aquifer.
http://www.ranneymethod.com/images/collector_well.jpg
Groundwater inputs into the Barnegat Bay
Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer is main aquifer in Barnegat Watershed
Opens under Bay, releasing freshwater into the Bay
Barnegat Bay Geography Barnegat Bay opens
to ocean at Barnegat Inlet (between Island Beach and Long Beach Island) and Little Egg Inlet (at south end of Long Beach Island)
There is also a canal (Bayhead-Manasquan Canal) between the Bay and Manasquan Inlet
Atlantic Ocean
Barnegat Bay Estuary Water that’s a mix of
fresh and salt is termed BRACKISH
Brackish water can be different salinities (less salty than the ocean but more than rivers and streams)
Where in the Bay would salinity be highest?
Why?
Manahawkin Bay
Barnegat Inlet
Little Egg Inlet
Life in the Estuary
Estuarine Inhabitants
Estuarine Inhabitants
Changes in estuary salinity over time
Low Salt
Medium Salt
High Salt
Low Salt
Medium Salt
High Salt
HIGH FRESHWATER INPUT (RAINY YEAR)
LOW FRESHWATER INPUT (DROUGHT YEAR)
Impact of Water Use on Barnegat BayUse of both surface and groundwater by humans
reduces fresh water inputs into Bay
Low Salt
Medium Salt
High Salt
Low Salt
Medium Salt
High Salt
HIGH FRESHWATER INPUT (LOW WATER USE)
LOW FRESHWATER INPUT (HIGH WATER USE)