South Shore Estuary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Shore Estuary |
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| Location | Nassau County/Suffolk County, New York |
| Primary inflows | Long Island South Shore Rivers & Bay's & Atlantic Ocean |
| Primary outflows | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 75 miles (120 km) |
| Max. width | up to 5 miles (8 km) |
| Surface area | 326 square miles (840 km2) |
| Average depth | up to 15 feet (5 m) |
| Max. depth | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Surface elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Islands | Outer Barrier Islands |
| Settlements | Queens, Nassau, Suffolk- NY |
The South Shore Estuary is a special place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. It's located along the south shore of Long Island in eastern New York state. This important area stretches for over 70 miles (110 km) (about 110 kilometers). It goes all the way from West Bay in Nassau County to Shinnecock Bay in Suffolk County.
Exploring the Estuary: What is it Like?
The South Shore Estuary is made up of many connected parts. These include bays, rivers, streams, wetlands (areas where the land is covered by water), and small islands. All these parts are found along Long Island's south shore. They are located between the main land and the outer barrier islands.
Some of the well-known places that are part of this natural system include:
- Reynolds Channel
- West Bay
- Middle Bay
- East Bay
- South Oyster Bay
- Great South Bay
- Patchogue Bay
- Moriches Bay
- Shinnecock Bay
Life in the Estuary: Plants and Animals
An estuary is a unique place where fresh water meets and mixes with salt water. It's a "transition zone" between rivers and the ocean.
Long Island's South Shore estuary is a very active and changing ecosystem. It formed over the last 5,000 years. This happened as the sea level slowly rose and interacted with the land left behind by glaciers on Long Island.
In this special environment, you can find:
- Tidal marshes: These are grassy wetlands that are flooded by tides.
- Mud and sand flats: Flat areas of mud or sand that are exposed at low tide.
- Underwater plant beds: Areas where plants grow under the water.
- Broad shallows: Wide, shallow areas of water.
All these habitats support tiny plants and animals. These small creatures then become food for larger animals. The estuary is home to many different types of finfish, shellfish, waterfowl (birds that live near water), and other wildlife.
The entire natural system, including the New York barrier islands and the 173 square miles (450 km2) of shallow bays behind them, is always changing. It changes because of waves, tides, coastal storms, and the sea level that continues to rise.
