OCEAN/HARBOR ⇨ RIVER/STREAM

What’s the Story?

Pull, Push, Pull, Push... Some rivers are estuaries that are connected to the ocean! The Hudson River in New York is a prime example of this. Some call it “the river that flows both ways,” as the tidal forces draw the waters back and forth, upstream and downstream towards the ocean. Although in most cases rivers are freshwater, when they are connected to oceans they are “brackish,” meaning a mix of both. The tide ebbs and flows, precipitation fluctuates, and other forces cause the percentage of salinity in an estuary to vary over time. When oceans are connected to rivers, flooding events can be more extreme along the shorelines due to storm surge and sea level rise. Estuaries are so important to both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems and the home of many critical species!!

Click on your water drop above to travel to the River/Stream next!!