Baseline Sampling Results
Sampling for this study was concentrated between the North Marsh, the Central Marsh and the West Marsh. The reason for selecting these areas was due to a number of factors including (1) distance from Rt 146 (attempts were made to keep the transects equal distance above and below the tide gates), (2) size of the marsh and distance from the main channel, (3) time constraints for sampling over a single summer season, (4) access and logistical support (heavy equipment and permission to enter the site via private property) and (5) variety of habitat. The latter was important because we wanted a variety of vegetation types including mixed cordgrass zones, mixed forbs and cordgrass communities and mixed and pure reed stands and an area that would experience rapid change once the gates are opened. Five permanent transects (Fig. 2; Transect Map) were established across the marsh; two in the West Marsh control site (Transects #1 & #2 moving upsystem), one in the Central Marsh (Transect #3) and two in the North Marsh (Transects #4 & #5). Some sampling was conducted in the larger East Marsh, but no transect was established there.

Along the lower four transects (Transects #1 - #4), vegetation, hydrology, nutrient dynamics and surface sediment sampling was conducted. Fish and benthic sampling stations were established in and around the creeks in the vicinity of the lower four transects (see below). A fifth transect was established in the reed zone and only vegetation analysis was conducted there. Animal surveys were conducted throughout the marsh. Due to equipment and logistical problems, suspended load sampling could not be completed (only one sampling month). In order to augment the data, surface sediment sampling was expanded to include the entire year. The following section presents the results of the sampling.