Barrel Barge was deployed by Okaloosa County as an artificial reef in 1992 along with large fuel tanks and the bed of a dump truck – the latter was welded to the top of the barge just before deployment but has long since eroded away. Hurricanes have scattered the fuel tanks around the site, but a handful remain adjacent to the barge, partly covered in sand. Currents can shift the sand around the site, covering and uncovering the tanks at various times. The site provides plenty of relief to attract reef fish, including tomtates, grunts, drums, soapfish, flounder and grouper.