Long Island Sound
| Region | Type | Maps & Charts (if available, no international) |
|---|---|---|
| North America, New England, Atlantic | Sound | Long Island Sound |
Arm of the Atlantic Ocean,separating Long Island, N.Y., from mainland Connecticut. First described by Adriaen Block, a Dutch trader in 1612-14 following in the wake of Henry Huson, who sailed into Long Island Sound from the east, having come from Marblehead. block also sailed up into Connecticut River and along the Connecticut shore line. Block Island named by/for him.
Subject to semidiurnal tides of 7' at western end and 3' at eastern end, where current can reach 7 knots. Salinity at east end approximates the Atlantic Ocean (32/1000), while that at confluence with East River (22/1000). Receives freshwater flow from Connecticut River greater than Hudson River into New York Harbor.
Sound formed by the Last Ice Age and the Wisconsin ice sheet, 15,000 years ago.
On the west the East River joins it with N.Y. Bay. The sound is fed from the N by the Housatonic, Connecticut, and Thames rivers. It is a popular leisure-boating center. New Haven, New London, and Bridgeport, Conn., are the largest port cities; many residential communities line the sound. Salinity varies from 32/1000 at eastern end to 22/1000 at Throgs Neck. Water temperature varies from 32 degree F. to 76 degrees. Currents of 6 knots at Race between Fishers Island and Plum Island.
Sources
Robert A. McCaughey This Fine Piece of Water; An Environmental History of Long Island SoundRelated People
Adriaen BlockRelated Locations
Connecticut RiverEast River
Compiler
Peter Richards