Estuaries are areas of transition between the land and the sea. They are often called bays, harbors, inlets or sounds. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest of more than 100 estuaries in the United States. About half of the Bay’s water volume comes from salt water from the …

The Chesapeake Bay (/ ˈ tʃ ɛ s ə p iː k / CHESS-ə-peek) is the largest estuary in the United States. The bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula, including parts of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and the state of Delaware.

The largest and at one-time most productive estuary in the United States, and the third largest in the world, the Chesapeake Bay is an integral part of our natural and national history. Home to more than 18 million people and 3,600 species of plants and animals, the Chesapeake Bay watershed is truly an extraordinary place.

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Maryland (CBNERR-MD) protects and manages 6,000 acres of natural land s and waters in Maryland. These areas serve as living laboratories and classrooms through which we address key Chesapeake Bay issues.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It runs north-south from the mouth of the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most productive estuaries in the world, with over 3,600 species of animals and plants.

Feb 21, 2025 · Chesapeake Bay Program. Our regional partnership guides the restoration and protection of the nation’s largest estuary. Learn more about us ‍

Designated in 1991, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) is one of 30 protected areas that make up the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) established to promote informed management of the nation's estuaries and coastal habitats.

The largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed covers 64,000 square miles and includes more than 150 rivers and streams that drain into the Bay. More than 300 species of fish, shellfish and crab species and a wide array of other wildlife call the Bay home.

The Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary. Its 64,000-square-mile watershed encompasses one of the most economically significant regions of the United States. More than 18 million people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, and one of the most productive bodies of water in the world. The Chesapeake Bay Reserve is made up of three sites—Jug Bay, Otter Point Creek, and Monie Bay.