National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Reserve Information

Designated

1985

Lead Agency

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(Visit Site)

Protects

6,249 acres

Located

Jug Bay component of the reserve is located 20 miles from Washington, D.C.; Otter Point Creek component is 19 miles northeast of Baltimore, Maryland; Monie Bay component is located 20 miles from Salisbury, Maryland

Additional Information

The reserve encompasses salt marsh at Monie Bay, a tidal freshwater marsh at Otter Point Creek, and a tidal riverine system at Jug Bay.

Biogeographic Region

Virginian

Tidal Range

0.6 meters

About This Reserve

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, and one of the most productive bodies of water in the world. The Chesapeake Bay Reserve is made up of three sites—Jug Bay, Otter Point Creek, and Monie Bay. These sites reflect the diversity of estuarine habitats found within the Maryland portion of the Bay. These tributaries are an important component of the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

The Chesapeake Bay-Maryland Reserve is one of 30 areas in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System that are protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. The reserve is managed on a daily basis by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with input from other local partners. NOAA's Office for Coastal Management provides funding, national guidance, and technical assistance.

National Estuarine
Research Reserves

Chesapeake Bay-Maryland National Estuarine Research Reserve