Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, extending between Maryland and Virginia and connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. Its watershed spans six states and the District of Columbia.

Estuary: A coastal water body where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea. Chesapeake Bay is a large example of this coastal ecosystem.
Atlantic Ocean: The ocean basin between the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Chesapeake Bay exchanges water with the Atlantic through its southern mouth.
Impact crater: A depression formed when a meteorite or other celestial body strikes a planetary surface. The buried Chesapeake Bay impact structure was created by an ancient meteorite strike.
Chesapeake Bay oyster fishery: The commercial and recreational harvest of oysters from Chesapeake Bay. Oyster harvest has been a defining industry, while depletion prompted restoration efforts.
Eutrophication: The enrichment of water with nutrients that can trigger excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion. Nutrient pollution drives recurring ecological stress in Chesapeake Bay.
Chesapeake Bay watershed: The land area whose streams and rivers drain into Chesapeake Bay. Runoff from this extensive watershed supplies freshwater and carries nutrients into the Bay.
Tidewater region: A coastal region shaped by tides, estuaries, and low-lying waterways. The Bay anchors the Tidewater landscape of Maryland and Virginia.
Chesapeake Bay impact structure: A large, buried impact crater beneath southeastern Virginia and the lower Chesapeake Bay. Its formation altered local geology and contributed to the region’s unusual groundwater conditions.
Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery: The harvest and management of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay. Its catch is economically significant and closely monitored for stock health.
Oyster reef: A three-dimensional habitat formed by dense clusters of oysters and their shells. Historic reef loss reduced habitat and the Bay’s natural water-filtering capacity.

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