Tred Avon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tred Avon River |
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The Tred Avon from the Oxford–Bellevue Ferry at Oxford
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| Other name(s) | Third Haven River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| Region | Eastern Shore |
| Cities | Easton, Oxford |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Seth Demonstration Forest 65 ft (20 m) 38°45′12.4164″N 76°02′03.7824″W / 38.753449000°N 76.034384000°W |
| River mouth | Choptank River Benoni Point 0 ft (0 m) 38°40′02.4276″N 76°11′08.8002″W / 38.667341000°N 76.185777833°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Tred Avon River is a major tributary of the Choptank River. It is located in Talbot County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The river is about 17 miles (27 km) long. Its name, "Tred Avon," comes from an older name, "Third Haven River."
Contents
Exploring the Tred Avon River's Path
The Tred Avon River begins near Easton, which is the main town in the county. Its starting point, called the headwaters, is about 2.5 miles (4 km) southeast of Easton.
How the River Flows
The river flows west for about 5 miles (8 km) past Easton. Then, it gets wider and turns southwest. It continues for about 12 miles (19 km) until it reaches its mouth. The mouth is located just south of Oxford at a place called Benoni Point. A special light, the Choptank River Light, marks the river's mouth. It is a 35-foot tall structure in the main channel.
Understanding the River's Name
The name "Tred Avon" is a changed version of "Third Haven." This change happened because of how some early sailors from western England spoke. They often dropped the "h" sound in words.
Other Names for the River
The United States Geological Survey keeps a list of geographic names. They show that the Tred Avon River has been known by several other names over time:
- Third Haven Creek
- Third Haven River
- Threadhaven Creek
- Trad Avon River
- Tread Haven Creek
- Treavon Creek
- Tred Aven River
- Tred Haven River
- Tredaven Creek
- Tredaven Creeke
- Tredavon Creeke
- Tredhaven Creek
- Trudhaven River
A Look at the River's History
The town of Oxford was an important port near the river's mouth. It was founded between 1666 and 1668. The Tred Avon River was a busy route for shipping tobacco around the world. This continued until the American Revolutionary War ended.
Changes in Trade and Economy
After the war, wheat became the main cash crop on the Eastern Shore. Oxford's special role in colonial trade ended, which caused the local economy to slow down.
Later, after the American Civil War, people started harvesting many oysters. This brought a new economic boost to the area. However, by the 1920s, too many oysters were harvested. This led to a big drop in oyster numbers in the Tred Avon and lower Choptank rivers.
Helping Oysters Grow Again
In September 2008, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley started a project called "Marylanders Grow Oysters." This project aimed to help the river's oyster beds recover. It encouraged people who owned property along the waterfront to grow oysters from their piers using special cages. After about 9 to 12 months, these oysters are moved to a safe area in the Tred Avon River.
The Historic Ferry Service
The Oxford–Bellevue Ferry crosses the Tred Avon River. Many believe it is the oldest privately run ferry service in the United States. It operates from April to November each year, carrying people and cars across the water.
