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Dredge Rock Ridges |
This site consists of two long ridges of seven huge rock piles each, with one long valley east-west between them. Between piles there are smaller valleys. Each ridge contains approximately two million tons ( or one million cubic yards ) of granite, blasted and dredged from the bottom of New York harbor between September 2002 and September 2003. Peak depths range from 85 to 105 ft, bottom depth is 130 ft. In addition, 15 Redbird subway cars were deposited on or near one of the piles. A single similar rockpile is located in shallower water on the Axel Carlson Reef.
A
hopper barge full of rock
Depth profile of the northern rock ridge.
( Note: Vertical and horizontal scales are not equivalent )
The same depth profile, with the vertical scale adjusted to match the horizontal scale
Side-scan sonar image
Take a submarine trip around the Shark River Reef
The real blue-gray color of the granite is illuminated by the strobe. The freshly
dumped-rock here is barren and clean, but that will quickly change.
Note the small fish in residence already.
I was expecting large boulders, but instead most of the material is more like gravel.
This picture was taken shortly after dumping ceased on this site.
A fluke perches on a high rock, not uncommon behavior.
Blues swarm around the still-barren rock pile, and lobsters have already been
found among the lower stones. This is going to become an incredible fishing
site when the usual covering of mussels and other growth fills in.
The rock piles actually look remarkably like Dutch Springs, especially with the
subway cars. I kept expecting to find a school bus. It would be really neat to sink a
tugboat atop one of these piles, although concrete slabs would be a more permanent choice.
A scale representation of the Redbird subway cars on the rock pile.
The cars found so far are laid-out like this, but I would expect the first nor'easter
to topple them all down off the top of the mound into deep water.
Several more rock ridges are currently under construction nearby, along the east edge of the reef.
I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.
Copyright © 1996-2008 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted
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