Chesapeake Bay Watershed Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a watershed?

A place where all water evaporates.

A man-made structure for collecting rainwater.

A region of land where all the water drains to a common point. (correct)

An underground reservoir that stores water.

How many states are part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Eight states.

Six states.

Seven states. (correct)

Five states.

Which of the following cities is not part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Annapolis

Baltimore

Richmond

New York City (correct)

What is the average depth of the Chesapeake Bay?

21 feet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated volume of water held by the Chesapeake Bay?

18 trillion gallons. Signup and view all the answers

Which river is not a major river flowing through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Ohio River. Signup and view all the answers

What is the average daily water usage per person in North America?

330 liters. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Chesapeake Bay as an estuary?

It is where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total area covered by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

64,000 square miles Signup and view all the answers

Which major river is NOT part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Tidewater River Signup and view all the answers

How many different plant and animal species are supported by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

2,700 species Signup and view all the answers

Which state is NOT part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Ohio Signup and view all the answers

How many gallons of water does the Chesapeake Bay hold?

18 trillion gallons Signup and view all the answers

What role do sub-watersheds play in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

They are smaller regions that merge into the larger watershed. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of a watershed?

To drain water to a common point Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cities is located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Charlottesville Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about the Chesapeake Bay is true?

It is the largest estuary in the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of watersheds contributes to their ecological significance?

They support a diverse range of plant and animal species. Signup and view all the answers

How does water from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed ultimately move out to the ocean?

Via major rivers that flow into the bay Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following comparisons about water usage is true?

North Americans use much more water compared to people in Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of sub-watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

They merge to form the main Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Chesapeake Bay as an estuary?

It is a place where freshwater mixes with saltwater. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common misconception regarding watersheds?

Watersheds only relate to surface water. Signup and view all the answers

In how many states is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed located?

Seven states Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Overview

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is a region encompassing 64,000 square miles and over 11,684 miles of shoreline
Over 18 million people live in the watershed region, spanning seven states (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.).
Major cities within the watershed include Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, Richmond, Norfolk, Charlottesville, and Cooperstown.
The watershed is an interconnected network of streams, creeks, and rivers, each part of a sub-watershed that merges into the main watershed, feeding into the Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean.
Major rivers include the Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James Rivers.

Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem

The watershed supports more than 2,700 plant and animal species.
The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary, a unique environment where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean. It's the largest estuary in the United States.
It contains an enormous volume of water: 18 trillion gallons, which could fill 27 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The average depth of the Bay is only about 21 feet.

Watershed Impact on Humans

The watershed is more than just water; it encompasses the air, places where people live, work, and play, and is shared with wildlife, birds, and plants.
North Americans use an average of 87 gallons of water per person per day, which is significantly more than other regions (e.g., Germany, Africa).
Protecting watersheds is essential for human well-being and environmental health.

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Description

Explore the vast Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which spans 64,000 square miles and includes over 11,684 miles of shoreline. This quiz covers the ecosystem, major rivers, and the states that contribute to this critical environmental area. Dive into the rich biodiversity and understand the interconnectedness of its waterways.