Abstract
The physical oceanography of New York Harbor and surrounding estuaries are reviewed, particularly the characteristics of the tides in the lower Hudson River estuary, Long Island Sound, and the East River. The discharge of fresh water from the Hudson River and the ecologically significant, gravitational/estuarine circulation that results from the interaction of this buoyancy flux with tidal stirring is reviewed. The Stony Brook Storm Surge System (SBS3) coupled atmospheric/ocean circulation model is used to test the feasibility of emplacing storm surge barriers across major approaches to New York Harbor to protect the inner city and northern New Jersey from extreme storm surges.