Physical geography Chesapeake Bay

view of eastern bay in maryland @ sunset



the chesapeake bay bridge, near annapolis, maryland

much of bay shallow. @ point susquehanna river flows bay, average depth 30 feet (9 m), although diminishes average of 10 feet (3 m) southeast of city of havre de grace, maryland, 35 feet (11 m) north of annapolis. on average, depth of bay 21 feet (6.4 m), including tributaries; on 24 percent of bay less 6 ft (2 m) deep.

because bay estuary, has fresh water, salt water , brackish water. brackish water has 3 salinity zones: oligohaline, mesohaline, , polyhaline. freshwater zone runs mouth of susquehanna river north baltimore. oligohaline zone has little salt. salinity varies 0.5 ppt (parts per thousand) 10 ppt, , freshwater species can survive there. north end of oligohaline zone north baltimore , south end chesapeake bay bridge. mesohaline zone has medium amount of salt , runs bay bridge mouth of rappahannock river. salinity there ranges 10.7 ppt 18 ppt. polyhaline zone saltiest zone, , of water can salty sea water. runs mouth of rappahannock river mouth of bay. salinity ranges 18.7 ppt 36 ppt. (36 ppt salty ocean.)

the climate of area surrounding bay humid subtropical, hot, humid summers , cold mild winters. area around mouth of susquehanna river continental in nature, , mouth of susquehanna river , susquehanna flats freeze in winter. rare surface of bay freeze in winter, happened in winter of 1976–77.

the largest rivers flowing directly bay, north south, are:

susquehanna river:
patapsco river;
chester river;
choptank river;
patuxent river;
nanticoke river;
potomac river;
pocomoke river;
rappahannock river;
york river;
james river.

another river flowing chesapeake bay wicomico river, not confused tributary of potomac river.