Back Cove (Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Back Cove
|
|
|---|---|
|
Cove
|
|
Looking south across the cove to the skyline of downtown Portland
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Cumberland |
| Towns | Portland |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Back Cove is a beautiful natural area in Portland, Maine. It is like a large, almost round bay or inlet. This special place is located right next to downtown Portland. It measures about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) across.
Back Cove is an example of an estuary. An estuary is where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. This creates a unique environment.
Contents
Discover Back Cove: A Natural Gem in Portland
Back Cove is a very important part of Portland's natural landscape. It offers a peaceful escape from city life. Many people visit Back Cove to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. It's a great spot for learning about coastal environments.
What Makes Back Cove Special?
Back Cove is not just a pretty body of water. It's an estuary basin. This means it's a sheltered area where the tide comes in and out. The water here is a mix of fresh and salt water. This makes it a home for many different plants and animals.
Exploring the Back Cove Trail
One of the most popular features of Back Cove is the Back Cove Trail. This trail is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. It forms a loop that goes all the way around the cove. The trail is about 3.6 miles (5.8 kilometers) long.
Many people use the Back Cove Trail for exercise. You can see people walking, running, and biking here every day. It's a flat and easy path, perfect for all ages. The trail offers amazing views of the water and the Portland skyline.
Tides and Wildlife at the Cove
Back Cove is a tidal area. This means the water level changes a lot throughout the day. When the tide is low, much of the cove becomes mud flats. These mud flats are very important for wildlife. They are full of tiny creatures that birds love to eat.
Because of the changing tides and mud flats, large boats cannot use Back Cove. It is not used for commercial shipping. The mouth of the cove is crossed by Interstate 295. This highway includes Tukey's Bridge. The Back Cove Trail even rises up to meet this bridge.
Images for kids
-
Back Cove (top) as seen in a NASA photograph from space.
