Harris Creek (Maryland) facts for kids

Harris Creek is a special waterway located in Maryland, on the eastern side of the state. It's a type of water body called a tidal creek, which means its water levels change with the ocean's tides. Harris Creek is well-known for an important project: bringing oysters back to its waters.

This creek was named after William Harris, who owned land in the area during the 1800s.

Where is Harris Creek?

Harris Creek is found in Talbot County, Maryland. It flows from the northern part of the county towards the south. Eventually, its waters join the large Chesapeake Bay. The creek is also located close to Tilghman Island, a well-known spot in the region.

Bringing Oysters Back Home

Harris Creek is a very important place for oyster restoration. This means people are working hard to help oyster populations grow again in the creek. Oysters are vital for a healthy bay because they filter water and create habitats for other sea creatures.

Who is Helping Oysters?

Many groups are working together to restore oysters in Harris Creek. These include:

• The Nature Conservancy, which works to protect nature.
• The Oyster Recovery Partnership, focused on bringing oysters back.
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which manages Maryland's natural resources.
• The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a science agency that studies oceans and the atmosphere.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which helps with engineering projects for water resources.

These groups have worked together to plant tiny baby oysters, called oyster spat, across 350 acres underwater in Harris Creek. This planting effort started in 2012.

How They Help Oysters Grow

To help the oysters, scientists keep a close eye on the water quality in Harris Creek. They use special tools like a "vertical profiler" and "water quality sondes." These tools are like underwater sensors that measure things like how clean the water is and how much oxygen is in it. They are placed at the bottom of the creek to collect information.

Another big part of the restoration project involves adding old oyster shells to the creek. In 2013, a huge amount of fossilized oyster shell was brought all the way from Florida. About 42,536 tons of this shell were placed into Harris Creek. These shells provide a hard, clean surface for the baby oysters (spat) to attach to and grow. It's like building new homes for them! The rest of the shells went to another nearby waterway called the Little Choptank River.