East Rockaway Inlet facts for kids
The East Rockaway Inlet is a natural waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to a system of bays and channels behind Long Island, New York. It acts like a watery doorway between the big ocean and the calmer waters closer to land. This inlet separates the Rockaway Peninsula from a long, narrow strip of land called a barrier island. On this barrier island are towns like Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, and Lido Beach.
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Exploring the East Rockaway Inlet
The East Rockaway Inlet is a vital part of the coastal environment in New York. It helps control the flow of ocean water into the calmer bays, which is important for marine life. Many different kinds of fish, birds, and other animals rely on inlets like this for their homes and food.
Where is the East Rockaway Inlet?
This inlet is located on the southern coast of Long Island, New York. It creates a clear division between two important land areas. To its west is the Rockaway Peninsula, which is part of Queens, New York City. To its east is a chain of barrier islands. These islands include the popular communities of Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, and Lido Beach in Nassau County, New York.
How the Inlet Was Formed
Interestingly, the East Rockaway Inlet wasn't always exactly where it is today. A plaque in Long Beach tells us about its history. The original inlet was located directly across from East Rockaway. This is how the inlet got its name!
Creating a New Waterway
Later, a decision was made to create a new inlet. This new channel was dug between Far Rockaway and Atlantic Beach. Once the new inlet was finished, the old one was filled in. The material used to fill the old inlet came from the dirt and sand dug out to create the new one. This was a big engineering project that changed the local geography.
Bridges and Channels
The East Rockaway Inlet is an active waterway, with boats and ships passing through it. To connect the land on either side, the Atlantic Beach Bridge crosses over the inlet. This bridge is important for people traveling between the Rockaway Peninsula and the barrier islands.
Connecting to Reynolds Channel
On its eastern side, the East Rockaway Inlet connects to another important waterway called the Reynolds Channel. This channel is part of a larger system of bays and channels that run behind the barrier islands of Long Island. Together, the inlet and the channel form a complex network of water routes.
