Groundbreaking study reveals hidden freshwater outcrops in Shelter Island bay.
Groundwater discharge zones in West Neck Bay, Shelter Island were mapped using direct contact resistivity measurements and transient underflow measurements. The study found that conductivity values varied from 280 S/cm in freshwater zones to 12,800 S/cm in high salinity zones. The discharge zone extended 10-75 feet offshore, with seepage velocities ranging from 1.27 x 10 -3 cm/s to 3.94 x 10 -5 cm/s. The total daily discharge due to underflow in the north-east section of the bay was estimated to be 1.72 x 10 6 /day, comparable to the recharge in the area estimated at 1.50 x 10 6 /day.