![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081109021749im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
What Are Artificial Reefs and Where Are They Located in the Mid-Atlantic?
More About Artificial Reefs 
Reefs provide a home for fish and other ocean wildlife. Once an artificial reef is placed on the ocean floor, various encrusting organisms such as corals and sponges start covering the material. Then small animals take up residence, and as the small animals become abundant, larger animals are attracted. After a time it is hard to tell an artificial reef from a natural reef.
Many different types of materials can serve as artificial reefs. The bodies of cars, trucks, subway cars, and military tanks have been used, as well as bridge rubble, barges, boats, submarines, planes, and large cable. In August 2001, New York City subway cars were slid off a barge into the Atlantic Ocean ten miles east of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The cars, positioned in approximately 80 feet of water, became an artificial reef. Dives by the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Dive Team have confirmed that the cars are still intact, well covered by growth, and surrounded by fish such as flounder, tog, and shark. Since that time, additional New York City subway cars have been placed off the coast.
Artificial reefs are especially important in the marine waters of the mid-Atlantic. Years ago the natural bottom near shore had crevices in which fish could breed and hide. Today, however, widespread development has increased runoff from the land. This has resulted in large quantities of silt and sand being deposited into the water, making the near-shore bottom flat. Artificial reefs provide a way to bring fish and other ocean creatures back into an area.
There are also artificial reefs in Lake Erie , off of Ohio.
 |
 |
 |
NYC subway car getting cleaned |
NYC subway car sliding into
the ocean |
Scuba diver inside subway
car on the bottom of the ocean |