The Miles River

The Miles River. . , In front of you, the Miles River is carrying freshwater down to the Chesapeake Bay. Twice a day, saltwater tides from the Atlantic Ocean push back the fresh water flow of the Miles River and some 150 other rivers, creeks, and streams along the Bay. This mixing of salt and fresh water (known as “brackish” water) creates an estuary, one of the most biologically productive environments on earth., The Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s largest estuary, containing 11,684 miles (18,803 kilometers) of shoreline. Extensive marshes and forests along a network of waterways provide a diverse, thriving habitat that sustains 2,700 species of plants and animals. With an average depth of 21 feet (6.5 meters) across its 200-mile (321 kilometers) length, much of the Bay's bottom is covered in grass beds that provide food and shelter for fish, crabs, and waterfowl. , Today the Chesapeake's watershed, which includes part of six states, is home to 17 million people and several major cities, including Washington, DC and Baltimore. As our population continues to grow, our impact on the Bay's animals habitat and water quality does too. A commitment to a healthy Chesapeake environment benefits all the species that call the Bay home: herons, oysters, rockfish, and people, too.