Essay Archive - Estuaries
Estuaries
An estuary is a coastal area where fresh water from rivers and streams
mixes with salt water from the ocean. Many bays, sounds, and lagoons along
coasts are estuaries. Portions of rivers and streams connected to estuaries are
also considered part of the estuary. The land area from which fresh water
drains into the estuary is its watershed. Estuaries come in all shapes and sizes,
each unique to their location and climate. Bays, sounds, marshes, swamps,
inlets, and sloughs are all examples of estuaries.
An estuary is a fascinating place from the largest landscape features to
the smallest microscopic organisms. When viewing an estuary from t....
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