Chesapeake Bay, the largest cove on the Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States. Created by the submersion of the lower reaches of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, it is 193 miles (311 km) long and 3 to 25 miles (5 to 40 km) wide. The southern part of the bay borders Virginia and the northern part is bordered by Maryland. Its entrance from the Atlantic is flanked by Cape Charles to the north and Cape Henry to the south.
In addition to the Susquehanna, the major rivers that flow into the bay include the James, the York, the Rappahannock, the Potomac and the Patuxent from the west and the Wicomico, the Nanticoke, the Choptank and the Chester from the east. Most of the bay's irregular eastern coastline is low and swampy, while the straighter western coast is formed, at great distances, by cliffs. The Chesapeake Bay watershed, home to more than 18 million people and 3,600 species of plants and animals, is truly an extraordinary place. The Bay watershed, which spans six states and the District of Columbia, never ceases to amaze with its rich history, its vital importance economic and its amazing beauty.
Below is just a sampling of some of the impressive facts and numbers about our wonderful watershed. Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It extends from north to south from the mouth of the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most productive estuaries in the world, with more than 3,600 species of animals and plants.
The bay provides vitally important habitats for wildlife, many recreational opportunities for people, and is an important fishery on which both people and wildlife depend. The European colonists who populated Chesapeake Bay in the late 17th and early 18th centuries brought industrial agricultural techniques with them. Much of the bay's fauna, such as blue crab and waterfowl, depends on underwater grasses that grow in shallow waters. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects Virginia's east coast to its mainland (in the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake metropolitan areas), is approximately 20 miles (32 km) long; it has trestle bridges and two two-mile-long (3.2 km) sections of tunnels that allow unimpeded transportation; the bridge is supported by four 5.25-acre (21,200 m) artificial islands. And Chesapeake Bay can expect an additional 1.3 to 5.2 foot sea level rise over the next century.
We administer programs designed to increase the environmental literacy of students in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Visiting Chesapeake Bay allows travelers to experience first-hand the beauty and wonder that this unique region offers. The Chesapeake Bay Hyatt, located in Cambridge, Maryland, is a luxurious, kid-friendly resort that combines modern amenities with stunning views to the sea. It sank the same year in the Potomac River, in front of Chesapeake Bay, after a high-power test organized by the U.
Over the past 30 years, the average water temperature in Chesapeake Bay has increased by 1 degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite their central role in coastal food webs, surprisingly little is known about the ecology and dynamics of the rockets in Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Area is filled with attractions and activities that adapt to a wide range of interests. The size and geographic diversity of Chesapeake Bay allow for a wide range of recreational activities, from sailing and boating to hiking and birdwatching.
Air temperatures in most places in the Chesapeake Bay Basin have increased over the past century. The brackish waters of Chesapeake Bay, created when freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean, vary in salinity depending on location, allowing a wide variety of fish to live in the bay. In addition to protecting the environment of Virginians, Chesapeake Bay is a place amazing for relaxing and playing during a vacation in Virginia. NOAA also leads the Chesapeake Bay Program educational task force, which provides expertise and coordination that lead to policies that support environmental literacy throughout the watershed.
