Maryland at a Glance-The Chesapeake Bay
"In North America, the Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with a free connection to the open sea. It was created more than 10,000 years ago when glaciers melted and flooded the Susquehanna River Valley. . . Generations of watermen have made their living harvesting the bounty of the Bay, while recreational fishing, hunting, and boating attract millions of people each year and contribute significantly to Maryland's economy." A guide to the Chesapeake Bay history, economy, geography, and attractions.

Chesapeake Bay Benthic Monitoring Program
"The Chesapeake Bay Long-Term Benthic Monitoring Program (LTB) component measures water quality, sediment quality, and the abundance and richness of benthic invertebrates." A description of the research program and its findings. The Web site includes links to other related sites.

Webquest
"When the European explorers first investigated the Chesapeake Bay, sea life was abundant. There were so many oysters you could see them on the bottom through the water because they filtered the water so clear. The amount of sea life seems to be declining. In 1997 there were 58 million pounds of crabs harvested from the Chesapeake Bay. The amount of crabs taken from the Bay in 1999 is down to about 25 million pounds." Why is the Chesapeake Bay in trouble? A Web site designed by Kimberly Kelly for students in grades 4-6.