Chesapeake Bay: Location, Size & Significance

North America's Largest Estuary

Chesapeake Bay stretches ~200 miles (320 km) from the Susquehanna River (MD/PA border) to the Atlantic Ocean at Virginia Capes.

Geography

• States: Maryland (north), Virginia (south), watershed includes DE, PA, NY, WV, DC
• Surface area: 4,479 sq mi (11,601 km²) — bay + tidal tributaries
• Watershed: 64,299 sq mi (166,534 km²) — 18M+ people
• Avg depth: 21 ft (6.4 m); max 174 ft (53 m) near Annapolis
• Shoreline: 11,684 mi (including tributaries) — more than US West Coast

Ecological & Economic Importance

• Blue crab, oysters, striped bass — iconic fisheries (declined but recovering)
• Critical habitat: Migratory waterfowl, nursery for 3,600+ species
• Ports: Baltimore, Hampton Roads (Norfolk/Newport News) — major East Coast hubs
• Recreation: Boating, fishing, tourism — $10B+/yr economy
• Naval: Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest) at mouth

Challenges

• Nutrient pollution (N, P) → dead zones (agriculture, urban runoff, wastewater)
• Sedimentation, habitat loss, climate change (sea-level rise, warming)
• Chesapeake Bay Program (1983) — multi-state/federal restoration effort