Great Wicomico River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Wicomico River |
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| Country | United States |
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| Main source | Virginia |
| River mouth | Ingram Bay 37°49′44″N 76°19′2″W / 37.82889°N 76.31722°W |
The Great Wicomico River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is about 15.2 miles (24.5 km) long. You can find it about 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Richmond. During the American Civil War in 1864, a boat from Admiral David Dixon Porter's fleet was captured here.
River's Path and Surroundings
The Great Wicomico is a small river that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. It is a "tidal tributary," meaning its water level changes with the ocean's tides. Freshwater from Crabbe Mill Stream and Bush Mill Stream flows into it.
The river forms a special area called a "trap-type estuary" in Ingram Bay. This area has been good for growing oysters for a long time. The land along the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, near this river, is generally flat. Sometimes, you might even see Dolphins swimming in the river's estuary!
Fishing Fun
If you like fishing, the Dameron Marsh area near the river's mouth is a great spot. People often catch stripers and trout there. In the summer, you might also find Spanish mackerel.
Cool Landmarks
The Great Wicomico River Light was a special lighthouse built in 1889. It stood at the river's entrance. The original lighthouse was stopped from working in 1967. Its top part was taken down and replaced with a new, automatic light on the old base. In 2015, even that structure was removed.
Today, there's a building shaped like a lighthouse in Fleeton. It's not a real lighthouse that helps ships, but it marks the river's entrance. There are also some old shipwrecks in Ingram Bay near the river's mouth. These include the Davidson, Old Texas, and San Marcos wrecks. State Route 200 crosses the river a few kilometers from its mouth, close to the Athena Vineyards and Winery.
