Chesapeake Bay Quick Facts

• The largest estuary in North America.

• A partially mixed, temperate-zone estuary.

• Spatial and temporal variation of many physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

• A drowned river valley of the Susquehanna.

• Approximately 330 kilometer (200 mile) in length from Havre de Grace, MD, to its mouth between Capes Henry and Charles, VA.

• Over 150 tributary rivers and streams. Freshwater flow is 50% from the Susquehanna River, 40% from western shore tributaries and 10% from eastern shore tributaries.

• 165,800 kilometer² (approx. 64,000 mile²) drainage basin located in the District of Columbia and six states – New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

• 11,400 kilometer² (3,227 mile²) surface area (including tributaries).

• 12,870 kilometer (8,000 mile) of shoreline.

• 51,000 million meter³ (180,000 million feet³) volume below the fall line.

• 6.5 meter (21 feet) average depth (a relatively shallow estuary).

Useful Links

Map of the Chesapeake Bay region