By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net and Jack Bredin, reporter/researcher/illustrator Blogfinger staff.
All illustrations by Jack Bredin, Blogfinger researcher and artist. © This is #1
#1. Above is a diagram of low tide at Wesley Lake in the 1800’s. Water flows freely down a stream into the Lake and on to the Atlantic.
Illustration #2. High tide in the 1800’s. Special to Blogfinger. ©
#2. During every high tide, when the tide comes in, salt water from the Atlantic flows through the inlet and into the Lake. When the tide goes out, the water flows out. The water then was clean and clear. This system is an estuary.
Illustration #3. 2017: Low tide and normal high tide. Blogfinger illustrations. ©
#3. However, over the years, the stream which fed fresh water into the Lake was filled in. A dam was built on the east end of the Lake. Ocean water would no longer flow into the Lake except for extreme high tides. Street water was directed into the Lake bringing polluted silt into the Lake. the inlet was filled in and replaced with a drain pipe.
Under these conditions, it would only be a matter of time when the Lake would die.
Illustration#4. High tide with north East storm. Blogfinger illustration.
#4. During the highest of the high tides, when the elevation of the Ocean is simultaneously effected by the gravitational pull of the Sun, the Moon, and a storm surge from a north-east storm, Ocean water flows back through the outflow pipe back over the dam and into Wesley Lake.
This does help to clean the water but does nothing to remove the pollution trapped in the 6-7 feet of mud at the bottom of the Lake. That pollution is killing the Lake, and can only be removed though a dredging operation.
#5. Illustration #5 Blogfinger suggested plan. Blogfinger illustration.
#5. Solution to the problem:
a. Dredge the polluted mud
b. Remove the street water pipes that bring in the pollution and reconnect them to one main pipe that drains into a water treatment plant.
c. A small pump could then fill the Lake with clean Ocean water.
d. Keep the dam and outflow pipe in place
e. Stock the Lake with fish.
Thanks to Jack Bredin for this remarkable lesson in Wesley Lake ecology. Many people love Ocean Grove, all over the world, so something needs to be done.
THE JERSEY SHORE BY TIN PENNY: