Smithtown Artificial Reef

Smithtown Artificial Reef

1.6 nautical miles northwest of Stony Brook Harbor, 0.05 sq miles
Depth: 30 - 40 ft

Not Shown:

  • 22,000 automobile tires

rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

All manner of concrete, steel, and stone rubble from dredging, demolition projects, and other construction is used as artificial reef materials. This material is generally available at very low cost or free from construction companies who are more than happy to get rid of it. Transportation costs determine where this material is used by the Reef Program.


the big one goes down
Type:
artificial reef, barges
Depth:
38 - 40 ft
Name Description Sunk GPS
190’ wood 1979 40°55.977'
-73°10.921'
350’ steel 1981 40°55.943'
-73°10.955'
270’ wood 1982 40°55.876'
-73°11.111'
340’ steel 1984 40°55.991'
-73°10.950'
80’ wood 1984 40°55.972'
-73°10.872'
80’ steel (226) 2021 40°55.970'
-73°11.048'


Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Size: to 70" and 1200 lbs.

Habitat: oceanic

Notes: The largest sea turtle in the world, and also the most likely to be seen in our cold waters, since Leatherbacks are at least partially warm-blooded! As implied by the name, they have a leathery flexible covering, rather than the bony hard shell of all other sea turtles - a unique feature that has caused them to be placed in a family of their own, apart from all other sea turtles. Leatherbacks feed on jellyfish.