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History of Goldsmith Inlet
Two jetties, which is standard maritime practice, were constructed in the 1800's on the East and West sides of the channel into the Inlet. The 2 jetties were constricted to increase the channel depth and tidal flow to support the operation of the Godlsmith Mill. The allowed large, heavily loaded boats to deliver grain to the Mill via the Sound. The strength of the resulting tidal flow supported the successful operation of the Mill for more than 50 years (1843 to 1898). The two jetties then maintained the depth of the channel during the Prohibition (1919 to 1933), allowing large powerboats to deliver cases of liquor to the Worthwhile Tavern located on the Inlet channel and private boaters to enjoy the Inlet as well. The two jetties provided the full tidal flow to flush pollutants from the Inlet and it remained a healthy and safe ecosystem teeming with the wildlife, including hard and soft shell clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, eels, blue claw crabs, winder flounder spawning, a wide variety of plant life and many fish and birds. Fishing, eeling, crabbing, swimming and recreational boating were popular. Over time the original two jetties were allowed to gradually degrade. The Inlet remained healthy as the tidal flow remained strong with two equally functioning jetties. Then, in 1964, it was decided to only rebuild and also lengthen the western jetty - and the Inlet's decline began. As a result of only a single 335' jetty, large amounts of sand began to be forced into the inlet. The single long jetty has created a 335' wide funnel into which sand is driven by the incoming easterly tides and all Noreaster's. In addition, the littoral drift also brings sand from the west as it goes around, and even through, the end of the jetty. The incoming sand initially only built up in the channel and periodic dredging was attempted to rectify the problem. The sand build up has accelerated over time and has now filled the channel and a large area within the Inlet itself. Still believing that dredging could solve the problem, the DEC and Suffolk County Public Works/Dredging Department conducted a major dredge of the channel in 2003. It was ineffective and all the dredged sand returned within a few months. The Town of Southold is now required to perform annual "emergency" dredging at the mouth of the channel to maintain even a small amount of tidal flow, an annual expense that does not address the core issue of the impact of the single jetty. Today, our challenge is to repair the damage that has been created since the 1960s by taking the appropriate, environmentally sound steps needed to restore the health and safety of the Inlet. |
Since before the Town of Southold was established until the late
1900's, Goldsmith Inlet was a valuable ecosystem, supporting a wide
range of wildlife in a healthy and safe environment. The tidal
flow was strong and the channel into the Inlet would reopen even after
storms. Sand did not accumulate in the Inlet itself.