What’s the largest estuary in the world?
The St. Lawrence River is the longest estuary in the world. It’s formed by the combination of two rivers, one of which begins at Lac Masson and empties into the Ottawa River at Anticosti Island. The other begins in North Bay and flows northeastward through Lake Nipissing and then drains into Lake Ontario at Kingston. Because it’s long, narrow, and has a deep basin shaped like an inverted U, it has many characteristics that make it ideal for commercial shipping traffic–and also cause some environmental problems (such as pollution).
What is an Estuary?
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environments. The mixing of seawater with fresh water provided by estuaries helps keep many marine ecosystems stable by reducing fluctuations in temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen content.
The largest estuary in the world is formed by the St. Lawrence River
The largest estuary in the world is formed by the St. Lawrence River. The river flows from Canada to New Brunswick, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary is about 1300 miles long and covers an area of about 200 square miles (518 sq km).
An estuary is a partially enclosed bay that forms where freshwater rivers or streams flow into saltwater bodies. Most major cities are built near large estuaries because they provide ample access to both fresh water and ocean resources for transportation and trading purposes.
The St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River is the largest estuary in the world, covering an area of more than 3,000 square miles. It begins at Lake Ontario and flows northeast through New York State and into Canada until it empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Quebec City.
St. Lawrence is a major waterway for shipping and has been used by humans since prehistory when Native Americans lived along its banks. European explorers began using it later in history as they colonized North America in search of resources such as fur and timber; more recently, industrialization has led to increased use of this natural resource for manufacturing purposes.
Because much of North America’s freshwater supply comes from here—as well as being one of Earth’s top fishing spots—protecting this ecosystem is vital for maintaining human life on our planet!
Facts About the St. Lawrence River
- The St. Lawrence River is 2,185 miles long and flows through Canada and the U.S., starting at Lake Ontario and ending at the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
- Saint Lawrence Water System is responsible for draining more than a quarter of the Earth’s freshwater reserves.
- The deepest point of the St. Lawrence River is 250 feet.
- The St. Lawrence River has a discharge rate of 347, 849 cubic feet of water per second.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The St. Lawrence River is the largest estuary in the world. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this amazing ecosystem, and we’ll see you next time!