All about the…..All about the…..

Chesapeake Bay WatershedChesapeake Bay Watershed

About the Watershed…..About the Watershed…..

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is the biggest of 130 The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is the biggest of 130 estuaries in the U.S. and include the states of New York, estuaries in the U.S. and include the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.Virginia, and Washington D.C.

The average depth of the watershed is 21 ft.The average depth of the watershed is 21 ft. Is home to more than 3,600 species plants and animals.Is home to more than 3,600 species plants and animals. Is occupied by 30 million people.Is occupied by 30 million people.

Say Say WHATWHAT??

A A WATERSHEDWATERSHED is the area of land where all of is the area of land where all of the water is under it or drains off of it goes into the water is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place.the same place.

I bet you’re wondering what estuary or watershed means….well let me explain…

FUN FACT: The Algonquian Indians named the watershed “Chesepioc” meaning the “Great Shellfish Bay”.

•An An ESTUARY ESTUARY is a partly enclosed body of water is a partly enclosed body of water where fresh water from the river meets ocean salt where fresh water from the river meets ocean salt

water and the 2 mix.water and the 2 mix.

Animals and PlantsAnimals and Plants

• Animals in the watershed include blue crabs, oysters, striped bass, sharks, shrimp, snakes, frogs, turtles, ospreys, bald eagles, great blue herons, Canadian geese, and raccoons.

• Plants in the watershed include zooplankton, plankton, barnacles, sea squirts, and sponges.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed supports a

variety of species…..in fact over 3,600!

PollutionPollution

Before European settlement, the watershed was 95% forest. Before European settlement, the watershed was 95% forest. Today, only 65% is forest.Today, only 65% is forest.

Today, much of the watershed is polluted with excess nutrients, Today, much of the watershed is polluted with excess nutrients, toxic/chemical contamination, car pollution, fossil fuels, and toxic/chemical contamination, car pollution, fossil fuels, and garbage.garbage.

Another huge source of pollution is landscape changes.Another huge source of pollution is landscape changes.

Unfortunately, pollution is a big problem in the Chesapeake Bay

Watershed……..

How you can Help?How you can Help?

• Farmers and other Farmers and other people are helping people are helping the environment by the environment by making sure cows making sure cows don’t go into streams don’t go into streams and by making sure and by making sure manure is cleaned manure is cleaned up.up.

• Other people help by Other people help by holding events to holding events to pick up litter.pick up litter.

• YOU YOU can help by not can help by not polluting and asking polluting and asking other people to do the other people to do the same.same.

• Remember, anything Remember, anything you throw on the you throw on the ground can effect ground can effect what will happen to what will happen to this this watershed….because watershed….because you’re in it!you’re in it!

The End