The Bay supports more than 3, species of plants, fish and animals, including species of finfish, species of shellfish, and over 2, plant species. The Chesapeake is home to 29 species of waterfowl and is a major resting ground along the Atlantic Flyway.
Every year, an estimated one million waterfowl winter in the Bay region. The Bay produces about million pounds of seafood per year. Since colonial times, the Bay has lost half of its forested shorelines, over half of its wetlands, nearly 90 percent of its underwater grasses, and more than 98 percent of its oysters. The rest drains into the Bay from an enormous 64,square-mile watershed.
You could live more than miles from the Chesapeake Bay and still be in part of its watershed. There are about major rivers and streams in the Bay watershed.
The Susquehanna River provides about 50 percent of the fresh water coming into the Bay—an average of 19 million gallons of water per minute. The ratio of land area drained by watershed to the volume of water in the Bay is It is the largest of more than estuaries in the United States and third largest in the world. The Bay and its tidal tributaries have 11, miles of shoreline—more than the entire U. The Chesapeake Bay was formed about 10, years ago when glaciers melted and flooded the Susquehanna River valley.
The Bay is surprisingly shallow as we sailors know! Its average depth, including all tidal tributaries, is about 21 feet. Geography and Facts. Decades of Success: The s Even as a young organization, our work was effective and got noticed. Explore Our Timeline. Stay Up-to-Date on Bay News Want to stay up-to-date on all news and happenings in your region and across the Chesapeake watershed?
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