US Estuaries and their Environmental Challenges

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What is an Estuary

An estuary is a body of land that is surrounded on some sides by sea water, however on other parts of the land that sea water comes in contact with a fresh water river, lake or stream. Estuaries are beautiful areas and popular among tourists, as well as being desirable for permanent residence. What is especially distinct about an estuary is the distinct and irreplaceable ecosystem which is created in a place where fresh water and sea water mix.

Of the 32 largest cities in the world, 22 are located on estuaries. Not surprisingly, human activities have led to a decline in the health of estuaries, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), in partnership with coastal states, monitors the health of estuaries, educates the public about these ecosystems, and helps communities manage their coastal resources.

There are over 100 estuaries in the United States alone, and 70 percent of the population visits an estuary every year. They are the most popular land areas for living on. People who live further inland and far from a sea or lake will want to visit an estuary for the unique recreational opportunities as well as for the uncommon experience of the wildlife and nature to be found there.

List of Estuaries in the United States

Estuaries of Alabama
Mobile Bay

Estuaries of Alaska
Cook Inlet

Estuaries of California
California coastal salt marsh
Americano Creek
Bolinas Lagoon
Castro Cove
Drakes Estero
Ecology of the San Francisco Estuary
Elkhorn Slough
Goleta Slough
Moro Cojo Slough State Marine Reserve
Oakland Estuary
Petaluma River
Richardson Bay
Sacramento – San Joaquin River DeltaSan Pablo BayStemple Creek

Estuaries of Connecticut
Ash Creek
Little Narragansett Bay
Mystic River
Smith Cove
Thames River
Wethersfield Cove

Estuaries of Delaware
Delaware Bay

Estuaries of Florida
Apalachicola Bay
Charlotte Harbor
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
National Estuarine Research Reserve
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Tampa Bay

Estuaries of Louisiana
Lake Pontchartrain

Estuaries of Maine
Damariscotta River

Estuaries of Maryland
Carpenters Island, St. Mary’s County, Maryland Chesapeake Bay

Estuaries of Massachusetts
Annisquam River
Bass River
Blackwater River
Boston Harbor
Buzzards Bay
Mitchell River (Massachusetts)
Oyster Pond River
Popponesset Bay
Quashnet River
Weymouth Fore River

Estuaries of New Hampshire
Great Bay (New Hampshire)

Estuaries of New York
Lower New York Bay
New York Harbor

Estuaries of North Carolina
Albemarle Sound
Pamlico Sound
Neuse River estuary

Estuaries of New Jersey
Barnegat Bay
Delaware Bay
New Jersey Harbor Estuary
Lower New York Bay
Raritan Bayshore

Estuaries of Oregon
Coos Bay
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Tillamook Bay
Yachats, Oregon

Estuaries of Rhode Island
Little Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay

Estuaries of South Carolina
Port Royal Sound
Winyah Bay

Estuaries of Texas
Galveston Bay

Estuaries of Virginia
Chesapeake Bay
Elizabeth River (Virginia)

Estuaries of Washington
Appletree Cove
Bellingham Bay
Port Susan
Possession Sound
Puget Sound
Skagit Bay
Willapa Bay

What Are Environmental Challenges Estuaries Overcome?

An estuary is a life support system for thousands of migratory birds. Birds can rest and relax in an estuary because it offers shelter from the elements and from predators. An estuary is also an optimal place to find fish. The unique mix of fresh water and salt water, as well as the shelter from larger fish predators, provides a fantastic environment for fish to spawn and for that reason many birds like to build their nests in an estuary. The fishing is great not only for the birds; 80 percent of the United States fish supply comes from an estuary. An estuary provides a very productive ecosystem.

The environment on an estuary is also the basis of the economy. Estuary economies relating to fishing and tourism provides 28 million jobs in the United States. Fishing alone generates more than 100 billion dollars each year, and more than ten billion dollars is generated by recreation and boating, annually.

An estuary is truly a national treasure and a natural resource. However, the immense gifts offered by an estuary need to be protected. The immense popularity of an estuary draws a lot of attention and sometimes that attention is damaging and can be the cause of many environmental challenges. Population overload, pollution, deforestation and construction, as well as over-farming and over-fishing are just some of the many causes of damage sustained by estuaries in the United States and around the world.

Tampering with any ecosystem is dangerous for the life that is dependent upon that system. Even one small change can have far reaching effects throughout the food chain on plant and animal life. Ultimately, human kind may suffer from the changes that we inflict on these perfect ecosystems and many organizations are trying to correct and reverse those changes.

Two thirds of the ecosystems in estuaries in the United States have been eliminated, contaminated or diseased. It is hoped that these estuaries can be rehabilitated. Something that every person can do is to conserve water. Wherever you are, no matter how far from an estuary, the water you use ultimately drains to an estuary. The more fresh water that drains to the estuary, the better. Being aware of waste and minimizing the use of chemicals can also decrease pollution to the land and streams which ultimately drain to the estuaries.

Another challenge that estuaries face is land erosion. In past decades plants which were not native to those lands were imported because they were thought to prevent land erosion. However, those plants took over the indigenous plants in the area and corrupted the ecosystem, destroying habitats of wild life, reptiles, fish and fowl who relied on the indigenous plantation. Building development and construction also compromises habitat for wildlife. Efforts are being made to uproot foreign plant life and replace indigenous plant life. Animal life and birds are being protected and preserved to attempt to regenerate what has been lost.

Resources about Estuaries

Epa.gove information about estuaries
Importance of estuaries
noaa.gov facts about estuaries

Resource by L.Fuller

I am a fanatic when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I enjoy going to the gym, working out, hiking, camping, and overall just learning how to stay happy and healthy.

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