Shepody Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shepody Bay |
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|---|---|
| Area | 122 square kilometres (47 sq mi) |
| Designated: | 27 May 1987 |
| Reference #: | 363 |
Shepody Bay is a special part of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. It's a large area where the ocean water comes in and out with the tides. This creates a unique environment with huge areas of open water and vast mudflats. These mudflats are like a giant buffet for millions of migrating shorebirds that visit every fall.
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What is Shepody Bay?
Shepody Bay is known as a tidal embayment. This means it is a bay where the water level changes a lot with the ocean's tides. The bay covers about 77 square kilometers (30 square miles) of open water. It also has about 40 square kilometers (15 square miles) of mudflats. On the western side, there are 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of salty marshland. The eastern shore has about 1 square kilometer (0.4 square miles) of sandy and gravel beaches. These beaches are slowly being worn away by the ocean.
A Home for Tiny Creatures
The mudflats in Shepody Bay are very important. They are home to huge numbers of a tiny creature called Corophium volutator. This small crustacean is the main food source for the millions of shorebirds that stop here. These birds are on their long journey south for the winter. They need to eat a lot to get enough energy for their migration.
Why is Shepody Bay Important?
Shepody Bay is recognized as a very important natural area around the world. In 1987, about 122 square kilometers (47 square miles) of its coastal wetlands were named a Ramsar wetland of international importance. This means it's a special place for wetlands globally. The bay is also considered a globally significant Important Bird Area. It is also part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. These titles show how vital Shepody Bay is for birds and the environment.
Where is Shepody Bay Located?
Shepody Bay is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the city of Moncton. The closest town is Riverside-Albert, which has about 320 people. Part of the famous Trans Canada Trail also crosses through the Shepody Marsh area.
Rivers that Feed the Bay
Several major rivers flow into Shepody Bay. These include the Shepody River, the Petitcodiac River, and the Memramcook River. In the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Acadians lived here, they called this area "Trois Rivieres," which means "Three Rivers." This name came from these three important rivers.
