Malpeque Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malpeque Bay |
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 Malpeque Bay
Location in Prince Edward Island
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Bathymetric map of Malpeque Bay, 1913
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| Coordinates | 46°32′N 63°47′W / 46.533°N 63.783°W |
| Type | Estuarine bay |
| Primary inflows | Gulf of St. Lawrence |
| Primary outflows | Gulf of St. Lawrence |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Designation | |
| Designated: | 28 April 1988 |
| Reference #: | 399 |
| Surface area | 204 km2 (79 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 13 m (43 ft) |
Malpeque Bay is a large body of water on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada. It covers about 204 square kilometers (79 square miles). This makes it the second biggest bay on the island.
Contents
Discover Malpeque Bay
Malpeque Bay is a special type of bay called an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, mixing fresh water with salty ocean water. This creates a unique environment for many plants and animals.
A Bay That Almost Divides the Island
Malpeque Bay is so big that it almost cuts Prince Edward Island in half! A narrow strip of land, called an isthmus, separates Malpeque Bay from Bedeque Bay on the island's south side. The city of Summerside is located on this narrow strip.
Islands of Malpeque Bay
Malpeque Bay is home to several islands. Some are along its northern edge, while others are completely inside the bay. These islands add to the bay's natural beauty and provide habitats for wildlife.
- Mary Fraser Island
- Courtin Island
- Little Courtin Island
- Little Rock
- Ram Island
- Bird Island
- Lennox Island
- Hog Island: This island acts like a natural wall, protecting the northern part of Malpeque Bay from the open Gulf of St. Lawrence.
- Fish Island: This is part of Hog Island. Sometimes it connects or separates due to natural changes like erosion.
Waterways Connecting to the Bay
Malpeque Bay has several inlets, which are narrow passages of water connecting it to other areas. These inlets are important for water flow and for boats.
- Hardys Channel: This channel connects the northwest part of Malpeque Bay to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It runs between Hog Island and the Conway Sand Hills.
- Conway Narrows: This narrow waterway links the northwest part of Malpeque Bay to Cascumpec Bay.
- Ship Channel / Malpeque Harbour: This channel connects the northeast part of Malpeque Bay to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is located between Hog Island/Fish Island and Royalty Point.
Communities Around the Bay
Many towns and communities are located along the shores of Malpeque Bay. The largest city directly on the bay is Summerside. These communities often rely on the bay for fishing, recreation, and tourism.
Here are some of the communities you can find along the bay, from west to east:
- East Bideford
- Lennox Island First Nation
- Port Hill
- Birch Hill
- Bayside
- Grand River
- Wellington Centre
- Southwest Lot 16
- Central Lot 16
- Belmont Lot 16
- North St. Eleanors
- Slemon Park
- Summerside
- Sherbrooke
- Travellers Rest
- New Annan
- Clermont
- Indian River
- Hamilton
- Baltic
- Malpeque
- Darnley
Malpeque Bay: A Special Wetland
Malpeque Bay is recognized as a wetland of international importance. This means it's a very important natural area that needs to be protected. It was given this special status on April 28, 1988, under the Ramsar Convention.
Why Malpeque Bay is Important
The bay is protected from the open Gulf of St. Lawrence by a long sandspit and sand dunes. Small rivers and creeks flow into the bay, bringing fresh water. This mix of fresh and salt water makes it a perfect home for many creatures.
Malpeque Bay is a crucial place for many birds, like herons and cormorants, to build their nests. It's also a very important nursery area for many types of fish and shellfish. The famous Malpeque oysters, known for their delicious taste, come from this bay.
Protecting the Bay for the Future
People enjoy Malpeque Bay for fun activities like visiting Cabot Beach Provincial Park and Green Park Provincial Park. However, there are some concerns about protecting the bay. As more homes are built around the bay, it's important to make sure the environment stays healthy.
Some businesses also operate near the bay. It's important that these activities do not harm the bay's delicate ecosystem. Protecting Malpeque Bay helps keep it a wonderful place for nature and for people to enjoy for many years to come.
