Delaware Bay is the estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the northeast seaboard of the United States. Approximately 782 square miles (2,030 km 2 ) in area, the bay’s fresh water mixes for many miles with the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean .
Is the Delaware River connected to the Atlantic Ocean?
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. ... Rising in two branches in New York state’s Catskill Mountains, the river flows 419 miles (674 km) into Delaware Bay where its waters enter the Atlantic Ocean near Cape May in New Jersey and Cape Henlopen in Delaware.
Where does the Delaware Bay meet the ocean?
Cape May Point ; where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay | Cape may point, Cape may, Wildwood nj.
What ocean surrounds Delaware?
Delaware sits on an east coast peninsula called the Delmarva. It’s bordered by Pennsylvania in the north; the Delaware River, the Delaware Bay, New Jersey, and Atlantic Ocean in the east; and Maryland in the south and west.
How was the Delaware Bay formed?
The Cape May Formation, the major geologic formation along the bay, was deposited during previous interglacial periods as rivers ran to the sea . Much of the Cape May Delta was created by a larger ancestral Great Egg Harbor River. Melting ice created land that now is threatened by higher seas.
Are there sharks in the Delaware River?
During the summer, more than a dozen species , including white sharks – more commonly called great white sharks – can be found in Delaware’s coastal waters and farther out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Can you swim in Delaware Bay?
For this reason more than any other, the Delaware bay beaches are not really swimming beaches. The exception is Lewes beach , because of its proximity to the ocean... the bay floor is sandy and swimming is wonderful, especially if you have small children.
What animals live in the Delaware River?
The Delaware River Basin has a very diverse ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife. Eagles, bears, snakes, insects, beavers, otters, herons, Canadian geese, fish, eels, deer , and other animals can be found along the river banks.
Why did George Washington cross the Delaware River?
On December 25, 1776, General George Washington and a small army of 2400 men crossed the Delaware River at McConkey’s Ferry, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on their way to successfully attack a Hessian garrison of 1500 at Trenton, New Jersey .
Is Delaware a good place to live?
Delaware’s scenic beauty, low taxes and affordable housing make this tiny state a wonderful place to live, work and play. ... Increasing numbers of people – from young couples to retirees – have discovered the wide-ranging benefits of Delaware living.
What is Delaware famous for?
Delaware is a small northeastern state that was one of the original 13 colonies. As the first state to ratify the United States Constitution , it has a rich history and is home to many historic landmarks. The state is also home to three state forests, several sandy beaches, and swampland near its southern border.
What are the major industries in Delaware?
- Agriculture. Agriculture is one of the most thriving industries in Delaware, thanks to farming. ...
- Fisheries. Delaware’s economy is strongly surviving on the sea. ...
- Manufacturing. Delaware’s manufacturing sector is the state’s second-largest traded sector. ...
- Tourism. ...
- Mining.
What is unique about Delaware Bay?
Bordered mainly by marshy lowlands, the bay is an important link in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway . ... It serves Philadelphia to the north by means of a channel in the Delaware River that is 32 feet (10 m) deep and 600 feet (180 m) wide.
Can you see across Delaware Bay?
ON A clear day, you can see absolutely nothing . Delaware lies just below the horizon. ... These days, the crossing from Cape May to Lewes, Del., 17 miles across the bay, is made by fast flat‐bottom ferryboat.
Is the Delaware Bay polluted?
The end of the line for one of Delaware’s most ubiquitous water pollution problems – high levels of nitrates – may be Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, where tainted freshwater from underground eventually mixes with seawater. We’ve all experienced these seeps without knowing it.
