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)