Long Island · NY
Plum Island
A mysterious federal island off Orient Point, across the rip of Plum Gut.
- Size
- 840 acres
- Animal disease lab
- Since 1954
- Lighthouse
- 1869
- Tides
- Two highs, two lows, uneven
Then
- 1827
The first lighthouse is built at the west end. Today's tower dates to 1869.
- 1897
The Army builds a coast artillery post, later Fort Terry.
- 1954
The USDA opens the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
- 2020
Congress blocks the planned sale of the island and funds its cleanup.
Now
Plum Gut, the mile-wide passage between Plum Island and Orient Point, has extremely strong tidal currents. Little Gull Island lies farther out at the mouth of Long Island Sound.
On the water
From NOAA's predictions for Plum Gut Harbor, Plum Island, NY over the next 365 days. Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).
- Pattern
- Two highs and two lows a day, one noticeably bigger than the other
- Typical daily range
- 2.9 ft
- Biggest swing
- 4.1 ft on Nov 25
- Smallest swing
- 1.7 ft on Oct 19
- Highest high
- 3.8 ft, Oct 1 at 11:09 AM
- Lowest low
- −0.7 ft, Jan 23 at 4:37 PM
2 tide stations around Plum Island
- Plum Gut Harbor, Plum Island1.6 mi
- Little Gull Island4.3 mi