Indian River Bay facts for kids
Indian River Bay is a beautiful body of water located in Sussex County, Delaware. It's part of a group of bays in Delaware, which also includes Little Assawoman Bay and Rehoboth Bay. The Indian River flows into the western side of the bay. To the east, the bay connects to the Atlantic Ocean through a special opening called the Indian River Inlet.
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What Makes Indian River Bay Special?
Indian River Bay is different from Delaware's other bays. It's a "drowned river valley." This means it was formed when a river valley slowly filled with water as sea levels rose. Other bays in Delaware are "estuaries" that formed behind sand bars. An estuary is a place where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water.
The Indian River Inlet: A Gateway to the Ocean
The Indian River Inlet is like a natural doorway connecting the bay to the ocean. For a long time, this doorway would move around, shifting along about two miles (3.2 km) of the coast. But starting in 1928, people began to use a process called dredging to keep the inlet in one spot. Dredging means using special machines to dig up sand and mud from the bottom of the water.
Then, in 1938, big walls called jetties were built on either side of the inlet. Jetties are like long arms made of rock or concrete that stick out into the water. They help keep the inlet from moving and stop sand from blocking it. Today, the Charles W. Cullen Bridge, also known as the Indian River Inlet Bridge, crosses over this important inlet.
Fun Things to Do at Indian River Bay
Indian River Bay is a great place for outdoor activities! Many people enjoy boating, fishing, and crabbing here. You can also go shellfishing, which means collecting clams or oysters.
The bay is surrounded by several protected natural areas. These include Delaware Seashore State Park, Holts Landing State Park, and the Assawoman Wildlife Area. These parks offer even more chances to explore nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Keeping Indian River Bay Clean
Like many waterways, Indian River Bay faces challenges with pollution. Most of the pollution comes from "runoff." This is when rain washes chemicals and waste from farms (agricultural runoff) and towns (urban runoff) into the bay.
People have suggested a couple of ways to help clean up the bay. One idea is to create a new opening through Delaware Seashore State Park. This would involve building a bridge and another jetty. Another idea is to make the Assawoman Canal wider and deeper by dredging it. This would help more tidal water flow in and out of Indian River Bay and the Indian River Inlet, which could help flush out pollutants.
