Wye River (Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wye River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| Region | Eastern Shore |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Queen Anne's County, Maryland, United States 38°58′6.49″N 76°8′47″W / 38.9684694°N 76.14639°W |
| River mouth | Talbot County, Maryland, United States 38°55′13″N 76°9′58″W / 38.92028°N 76.16611°W |
| Length | 16.3 mi (26.2 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Chesapeake Bay |
The Wye River is a 16.3-mile (26.2 km) long river in Maryland, USA. It flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The river is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The Wye River was named by the Lloyd family. They named it after the River Wye in the United Kingdom. This river flows through Queen Anne's County and Talbot County. It joins the Miles River before reaching the Eastern Bay.
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Fun on the Wye River
Many people enjoy the Wye River for fun activities. It is a great place for recreational boating. People like its quiet spots for anchoring their boats. Fishing and crabbing are also very popular here. The river is close to the tourist town of St. Michaels, Maryland.
Like many rivers connected to the Chesapeake Bay, the Wye River's water level changes with the ocean tides.
Wye Island
A special feature of the river is Wye Island. This island is about 2,800 acres (11 km²) in size. Most of Wye Island is a protected area. It is called the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources helps manage this area.
A long time ago, William Paca owned Wye Island. He was the third governor of Maryland. He also signed the Declaration of Independence.
Important Meetings and Research
Near the Wye River are the Aspen Institute Wye River Conference Centers. These centers have hosted important events.
Peace Talks at Wye River
In 1998, the Wye River Conference Centers hosted important peace talks. These talks were about peace in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat attended. US President Bill Clinton hosted the discussions. These talks led to an agreement called the Wye River Memorandum.
Wye Research and Education Center
The watershed also includes the Wye Research and Education Center. This center is run by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. They are part of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES). They do research and education about farming. They often work with the nearby Aspen Institute Wye River Conference Centers.
In 2000, Elián González and his father briefly stayed at the Wye River Plantation.
Protecting the River
The quality of the water in the Wye River is important. New buildings and development can sometimes threaten it. Efforts are made to protect the river's health.
