Rivers of the Chesapeake Bay

WESTERN Chesapeake Bay EASTERN Chesapeake Bay

Along the EASTERN banks of the Ches. Bay, the order of the rivers from top to bottom: Susquehanna Sassafras Chester Choptank Nanticoke Wicomico Susie  Sat  Cheerfully  Chopping  New  Walnuts 

 Sassafras River  Chester River  Susquehanna River  Nanticoke River  Choptank River  Wicomico River

Along the WESTERN banks of the Ches. Bay, the order of the rivers from top to bottom: Party  Poopers  Ruin  Your  Jamborees  Patuxent Potomac Rappahannock York James

Potomac River  Rappahannock River  Patuxent River  James River  York River 

The Susquehanna River

1. Contributes 50% of the fresh water to the bay. 2. Runs from NY to MD. 3. Major Pollutants: Nutrients – excessive fertilizer & manure used on crops Sediment – farming & construction Toxins – industry wastewater Acids – coal mining

The Potomac River Intense algal bloom downstream from Washington DC

The Potomac River 1. Contributes 20% of the fresh water to the bay. 2. Runs from WV to MD 3. Part of the MD/VA border which caused the Oyster Wars between tongers & dredgers. 4. Major Pollutants: Nutrients – sewage treatment plants in D.C. Sediment – farming & construction Acids – coal mining in WV 5. In 2005, “intersex” fish were found resulting from pollution.

The Potomac River CLICK HERE

The Rappahannock River

1. Relatively unspoiled river b/c of its rural location. 2. Big decline in fish & shellfish. 3. Major Pollutants: Kerosene spill in 1989 Nutrients & Sediment – agriculture Bacteria & Nutrients – 6 sewage treatment plants

The Chester River

1. Spawning & nursery for many fish species. 2. Runs from DE to MD 3. Sharp declines in SAVs, oysters, shellfish, & fish. 4. Major Pollutants: Nutrients – agriculture & sewage treatment plants Bacteria – septic systems & boat dumping Sediment - construction

The Chesapeake Bay Map Lab This is the map that you have. You will label your map using the maps provided. Here we go…

First, label the state lines on your map.

 Sassafras River  Chester River  Susquehanna River  Nanticoke River  Choptank River  Wicomico River Patuxent River  Potomac River  Rappahannock River  York River  James River  Chesapeake Bay Atlantic Ocean Delaware Bay Now label the bodies of water.

Ches. Bay  Bridge-Tunnel Baltimore  Richmond  Washington DC  Fredricksburg  Hampton  Norfolk   Va. Beach Label the cities. The Fall Line The Fall Line marks a drop in elevation from the mountains to the piedmont. This produces waterfalls in rivers. Now draw in the Fall Line & label it.

Now, we are going to color the salinity gradient of the Chesapeake Bay. Each section should be a different shade in the same family of colors. Be sure to include a key on your map. When you’re finished, you should answer the questions on the back of your map.