Chincoteague Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chincoteague Bay |
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Sunset at Chincoteague Bay
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 Chincoteague Bay
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Worcester County, Maryland Accomack County, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°07′00″N 75°14′54″W / 38.11667°N 75.24833°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Surface elevation | 0 feet (0 m) |
Chincoteague Bay is a special type of water body called a lagoon. It's located between the Atlantic Ocean and the mainland in Maryland and Virginia. This bay sits between two long, narrow islands: Assateague Island and Chincoteague, Virginia.
To the north, Chincoteague Bay gets narrower and becomes Sinepuxent Bay. To the south, its waters flow out into the Atlantic Ocean through areas like Queen Sound and Chincoteague Inlet. Not many big rivers flow into Chincoteague Bay. Its largest natural water sources are smaller creeks like Newport Creek and Swans Gut Creek.
Contents
A Look at Chincoteague Bay's History
Chincoteague Bay was once very famous for its seafood. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people harvested lots of oysters, crabs, and clams from the bay. These tasty shellfish were then sent to big cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
Where the Seafood Industry Was Based
The seafood business was centered in a few small towns and landings. These included Taylors Landing near Girdletree, Maryland, George Island Landing near Stockton, Maryland, and Franklin City, Virginia and Greenbackville, Virginia in Virginia. Some of these towns were connected by a railroad that helped ship the seafood.
Why the Seafood Industry Changed
Sadly, too many shellfish were caught, a problem known as Overfishing. This meant there weren't enough left to reproduce and grow. Because of this, the bay's shellfish numbers dropped a lot. Even today, the shellfish populations have not fully recovered to their old levels.
Life Around the Bay Today
Today, several communities are located along Chincoteague Bay. These include Public Landing, Maryland, Greenbackville, and Captain's Cove. Captain's Cove is a planned neighborhood near Greenbackville. The town of Chincoteague is also a well-known place on the bay.
Chincoteague Bay and Wildlife
Chincoteague Bay is a very important place for many animals, especially birds. It's a key stop along the Atlantic Flyway. This is like a superhighway in the sky that birds use when they migrate (travel long distances).
Protected Areas for Nature
Several special areas help protect the wildlife around the bay:
- The E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area
- Parts of the Sinepuxent Bay Wildlife Management Area
- The Assateague Island National Seashore
- The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
These protected areas on the eastern side of the bay make sure that birds and other animals have a safe place to live and rest.
