Chesapeake Bay: An Important Estuary — Reading Comprehension

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It is located on the East Coast, stretching between Maryland and Virginia. The bay connects to the Atlantic Ocean and is fed by more than 150 rivers and streams, including the Susquehanna River, which provides most of its freshwater.

The Chesapeake Bay is about 200 miles long and varies in width from 3 to 30 miles. It is surprisingly shallow. On average, it is only 21 feet deep, although the deepest part, called “The Hole,” is about 174 feet deep. Because of its shallow depth, the bay warms quickly in summer and sometimes freezes in parts during very cold winters.

This estuary has many important characteristics. Its mix of freshwater and saltwater makes it a brackish water ecosystem, home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The bay supports crabs, oysters, striped bass, and more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. Wetlands and marshes around the bay filter water, provide homes for birds, and protect the shoreline from erosion.

The Chesapeake Bay is also very important to people. It has long been a center for fishing and crabbing, especially for blue crabs and oysters. Millions of people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the land area that drains into the bay. Unfortunately, pollution and too many nutrients from farms and cities have harmed the bay’s health. Efforts are now underway to clean and restore it, ensuring that it remains a vital habitat for wildlife and humans alike.

Fun Fact: If all the water in the Chesapeake Bay were emptied, it could fit inside Lake Superior more than 20 times!

Where is Chesapeake Bay located?

How long is Chesapeake Bay?

What is the average depth?

What is the deepest part called?

What type of water does it have?

Why are wetlands important?

Which species are found in the bay?

Why is the bay threatened?