Fire Island Inlet facts for kids
Fire Island Inlet is a natural waterway on the south shore of Long Island, New York, USA. It acts like a big doorway, connecting the calm waters of the Great South Bay with the huge Atlantic Ocean.
This important inlet is located between two cool places: Robert Moses State Park (which is the western tip of Fire Island) to the south, and Oak Beach and Captree State Park (the eastern part of Jones Beach Island) to the north. If you look on a map, it's just south of West Islip, a town on the main part of Long Island.
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How Fire Island Inlet Changed Over Time
Fire Island Inlet hasn't always looked the way it does today! It has changed a lot over many years because of natural forces. One big reason for these changes is something called longshore drift. This is when waves and currents move sand along the coastline.
Long, long ago, Jones Beach Island and Fire Island were actually connected. But over time, the ocean's power and the movement of sand created the inlet we see now, separating the two islands.
Cool Facts About the Inlet
The Moving Lighthouse
Did you know that the famous Fire Island Lighthouse used to be right at the mouth of the inlet? When it was first built in 1825, it stood proudly at the entrance to the bay. But because the land and sand kept shifting due to natural processes, the inlet moved! Now, the lighthouse is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of where the inlet's mouth is today.
Sore Thumb: A Helping Hand for Beaches
On the northwest side of the inlet's entrance, there's a spot known as the Sore Thumb. This isn't a natural landform; it's a special barrier built by people. Its job is to help protect the beaches inside the inlet from washing away due to erosion. It's like a shield against the strong ocean currents.
Democrat Point: Fun for Everyone
The southeast side of the inlet's entrance is called Democrat Point. This area is super popular for different activities!
- It's a well-known spot for surfers who love catching waves.
- Many people also enjoy fishing here, especially those with 4x4 vehicles that can drive on the sand.
- Democrat Point is also a very important place for birds. It has large protected areas where many different kinds of birds can live safely.
