Segment Descriptions
Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) and Delmarva Peninsula Coastal Bay Segment Descriptions
Upper Zone
Northern Chesapeake Bay (CB1TF1 and CB1TF2)Head of Bay segment, excluding the Northeast River but including Swan and Pond creeks. CB1TF1 and CB1TF2 adjoins CB2OH at a boundary that extends from Cherry Tree Point, south of Mosquito Creek on the west, to Grove Point of Grove Neck on the east. |
Northeast (NORTF), Elk (ELKOH1 and ELKOH2), Bohemia (BOHOH), Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&DOH), and Sassafras (SASOH1 and SASOH2) riversUpper eastern shore tributary segments adjoining main stem Bay segments at their respective mouths. The Northeast River flows into CB1TF east of Furnace Bay. The Bohemia River and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal join the Elk River (ELKOH1 and ELKOH2) which flows into CB1TF at Turkey Point. SASOH1 and SASOH2 flows into CB2OH further south at Grove Point. |
Upper Chesapeake Bay (CB2OH) and Upper Central Chesapeake Bay (CB3MH)Upper main stem Bay segments, excluding main tributaries. CB2OH includes Romney, Delph, Boone, Brown, Worton, Fairlee, and Still Pond creeks; Pooles Island; and Hawks Cove by Hart Island. The boundary of CB2OH with CB3MH extends from Ramona Beach on Patapsco River Neck, to Tolchester Beach. CB3MH includes Tavern and Swan creeks and The Haven, all east of Swan Point, and Huntingfield and Shallow creeks, and Eastern Neck Narrows. The boundary of CB3MH with CB4MH extends from Moss Pond, south of the Magothy River on the east, to Kent Island, at a point above the Memorial Bridge. |
Bush (BSHOH), Gunpowder (GUNOH1 and GUNOH2), Middle (MIDOH), Back (BACOH), Patapsco (PATMH), and Magothy (MAGMH) riversUpper western shore tributary segments adjoining main stem Bay segments at their respective mouths. BSHOH adjoins southwestern CB2OH west of Abbey Point. GUNOH1 and GUNOH2 includes Saltpeter and Dundee creeks and adjoins northwestern CB2OH at Carroll Point. MIDOH adjoins middle-western CB2OH at Weir Point. MIDOH includes Seneca Creek, which is connected to Saltpeter Creek. BACOH adjoins CB3OH at a boundary extending from Cedar Point on the north shore, to Swan Point on the south shore, and does not include Hawk Cove, west of Hart Island. PATMH adjoins CB3MH at the boundary extending from North Point on the north shore, to a point approximately midway between Cedar and Bodkin points on Bodkin Neck on the south shore, and includes Bodkin Creek. MAGMH adjoins CB3MH at Gibson Island and includes Sillery Bay. |
Lower, Middle, and Upper Chester River (CHSMH, CHSOH, CHSTF)Eastern shore tributary segments. The Chester River adjoins southeastern CB3MH at a boundary extending across the mouth from Kent Island below Love Point, to Wickes Beach on the western side of Eastern Neck Island. |
Middle Zone
Middle Central Chesapeake Bay (CB4MH)Main stem Bay segment, including Whitehall and Herring bays. CB4MH extends in the north from Whitehall Bay, western shore, to Kent Island, eastern shore, and in the south from Cove Point, western shore, to Cattail Island, eastern shore. CB4MH excludes major tributaries and embayments, which adjoin it on the east and the west. CB4MH includes the islands of Poplar Harbor at the mouth of Eastern Bay, including Jefferson and Coaches islands. |
Eastern Bay (EASMH)Eastern shore embayment segment, including the eastern side of Kent Island, Prospect Bay, and the Wye and Miles rivers. The boundary with CB4MH extends from Kent Point to Tilghman Island. EASMH does not include the islands of Poplar Harbor at its mouth. |
The Mouth, Lower, Middle, and Upper Choptank River (CHOMH1, CHOMH2, CHOOH, CHOTF); and the Little Choptank River (LCHMH)Eastern shore embayment segments and adjoining tributary segments; adjoins main stem Bay segment CB4MH at a boundary extending south from Tilghman Island, to Oyster Cove at the north end of Taylor Island. CHOMH1 includes Harris, Broad, Irish, Trippe, and Islands creeks; the Tred Avon River; and Trippe Bay. LCHMH includes Brannock Bay, Slaughter Creek, and the Little Choptank River in the south. The CHOMH1 boundary with CHOMH2 extends across the Choptank River from Castle Haven Point to Island Neck. |
Severn (SEVMH), South (SOUMH), Rhode (RHDMH), and West (WSTMH) riversUpper western shore tributary segments adjoining main stem Bay segment at their respective mouths. SEVMH includes Lake Ogleton and adjoins northwestern CB4MH at a boundary extending from Greenbury Point on the north shore, to Tolly Point on the south shore. SOUMH, RHDMH, and WSTMH adjoin northwestern CB4MH at a boundary line extending from Marshy Point on the north shore of the mouth of the South River, to Felicity Cove on the south shore of the mouth of the West River. |
Lower Central Chesapeake Bay (CB5MH)Middle main stem Bay segment extending in the north from Cove point, on the western shore, across the Bay to Cattail Island, and south to Windmill Point on the western shore, then northeast to a point about four km west of the southern end of Tangier Island. In the east, CB5MH includes Tar Bay, Barren Island, and the western side of the Hooper Islands. In the west, CB5MH includes St. Jerome Creek, north of the mouth of the Potomac River, and the Wicomico and Great Wicomico rivers, Dividing Creek, and Fleets Bay to the south. CB5MH adjoins CB4MH in the north, CB6PH and CB7PH in the south, the Patuxent and Potomac rivers on the west, and Tangier Sound on the east. |
Honga (HNGMH); Fishing Bay (FSBMH); and Lower, Middle, and Upper Nanticoke (NANMH, NANOH, NANTF); Wicomico (WICMH); Manokin River (MANMH1 and MANOH2); Big Annemessex (BIGMH1 and BIGMH2); Lower, Middle, and Upper Pocomoke (POCMH, POCOH, POCTF) riversEastern shore tributary segments adjoining Tangier Sound (TANMH1 and TANMH2) at their respective mouths. The boundary of HNGMH with TANMH1 and TANMH2 extends from Nancys Point at the south end of Lower Hooper Island, to Bishop Head Point on Hog Island. The boundary of FSBMH with TANMH1 and TANMH2 extends from Bishop Head Point to the east end of Clay Island. The boundary of NANMH with TANMH2 extends from Sandy Island on the west shore, to Stump Point Marsh on the east shore. WICMH includes Ellis and Monie bays, and its boundary with TANMH2 extends from Stump Point Marsh to Long Point on the south shore. WICMH includes Laws Thorofare, and Fishing, Broad, Geanquakin, and St. Peters creeks on the north shore; and Back, Wolftrap, Broad, Teague, and Mine creeks on the south shore; and its boundary with TANMH1 extends from Claw Point on Little Deal Island in the north, to Hazard Point on Hazard Island in the south. BIGMH1 and BIGMH2 includes Mine, Shirtpond, Flatland, Fords, and Crane coves, and Moon Bay on the north shore, and Gales, Colbourn, Jones, Dougherty, and Acre creeks, and Joes Cove on the south shore; and its boundary with TANMH extends from Pat Island on the north shore, to Flatcap Point on Janes Island on the south shore. POCMH includes Pocomoke Sound and Beasley and Robin Hood bays. The boundary of POCMH with TANMH1 extends from Eastward Point in the north to Custis Point between Doe and Deep creeks, east of Big Marsh in the south. POCOH includes a small part of eastern Pocomoke Sound, and its boundary with POCMH extends from Pig Point, at the eastern end of Robin Hood Bay on the south shore, to a point directly north on Marumsco Marsh, west of Fair Island on the north shore. POCTF begins above Cypress Swamp near Unionville. |
Tangier Sound (TANMH1 and TANMH2)Generally, the area around Bloodsworth, South Marsh, Smith, and Tangier islands, extending in the north from the mouths of the Honga River and Fishing Bay, to south of Watts Island, north of Big Marsh, and east of Great Fox Islands on the eastern shore. TANMH1 and TAHNMH2 includes the Little Annemessex River; the Great Fox Islands; western Pocomoke Sound; Watts and Cedar islands. |
Lower, Middle, and Upper Patuxent River (PAXMH1, PAXMH2, PAXMH3, PAXMH4, PAXMH5, PAXMH6, PAXOH, PAXTF); and the Western Branch of the Patuxent River (WBRTF)Western shore tributary segments. PAXMH1 and PAXMH3 adjoins main stem Bay segment CB5MH at a boundary extending from Fishing Point on the south shore, to Drum Point on the north shore. Upstream, PAXMH2 adjoins PAXOH at a boundary extending approximately from Chalk Point on the west shore, to Gods Grace Point on the east shore. PAXOH adjoins PAXTF by Spice Creek. WBRTF adjoins PAXTF above Jug Bay on the west shore by the mouth of the Western Branch of the Patuxent River. |
Lower, Middle, and Upper Potomac River (POTMH, POTOH1, POTOH2, POTOH3, POTTF); Mattawoman (MATTF) and Piscataway (PISTF) creeks; and Anacostia River (ANATF)Middle western shore tributary segments. POTMH includes the St. Marys and Wicomico rivers, and Breton and St. Clements bays on the north shore, and on the south shore, the Coan and Yeocomico rivers, the Lower Machodoc, Nomini, Popes, Mattox, and Upper Machodoc creeks, and Currioman Bay. POTMH adjoins CB5MH at a boundary extending from Point Lookout to Ginny Beach. POTOH1, POTOH2, and POTOH3 includes the Port Tobacco River and Nanjemoy Creek on the north shore, and Aquia, Potomac, and Chopawamsic creeks on the south shore. POTOH1, POTOH2, and POTOH3 adjoins POTMH at a boundary extending from just above Popes Creek to Mathias Neck. The tidal fresh zone, POTTF, includes Broad, Pomonkey, and Chicamuxen creeks and the Anacostia River on the east shore, and on the west shore, Quantico, Powells, Neabsco, and Dogue creeks; Occoquan and Belmont bays; Occoquan River; Gunston Cove; and Accotink Bay. POTTF adjoins POTOH2, POTOH2, and POTOH3 at a boundary extending from Quantico on the west shore, to Moss Point on the east shore. MATTF and PISTF adjoin POTTF on the eastern shore below Broad Creek. |
Lower Zone
Western Lower Chesapeake Bay (CB6PH)Lower main stem Bay segment whose eastern boundary bisects the lower Bay and adjoins CB7PH. The western boundary extends in the north from Windmill Point, across the mouth of the Piankatank River (PIAMH), across the mouths of Mobjack Bay and the York, Poquoson, and Back rivers (MOBPH), to Northend Point at the south shore of the mouth of the Back River. CB6PH is bounded to the north by CB5MH and to the south by CB8PH and includes Winter and Horn Harbors |
Eastern Lower Chesapeake Bay (CB7PH)Lower main stem Bay segment whose western boundary bisects the lower Bay and adjoins CB6PH. The eastern boundary extends in the north from Deep Creek east of Big Marsh, south to the middle of the mouth of the Bay. The northern boundary adjoins CB5MH and TANMH. The southern boundary adjoins CB8PH and bisects the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Along its eastern shore CB7PH includes several tributary creeks, Cherrystone Inlet, Fishermans Island, and all of Big Marsh. |
Lower, Middle, and Upper Rappahannock River (RPPMH, RPPOH, RPPTF); and Corrotoman River (CRRMH)Lower western shore tributary segments. RPPMH adjoins CB6PH at a boundary across its mouth extending from Windmill Point to Stingray Point. RPPOH adjoins RPPMH at a boundary extending from Mulberry Point on the north shore, to Jenkins Landing. RPPOH adjoins RPPTF at Peedee Creek and Hutchinson Swamp. |
Piankatank River (PIAMH)Lower western shore tributary segment. Adjoins CB6PH at its mouth from Stingray Point in the north, to Cherry Point on Gwynn Island in the south. PIAMH includes Queens, Stutts, Billups and Whites creeks; Milford Haven; and The Hole in the Wall. |
Mobjack Bay (MOBPH)Western shore embayment segment. MOBPH adjoins southeastern CB6PH at a boundary extending in the north from New Point Comfort, to Northend Point in the south. MOBPH includes the East, North, Ware, Severn, Poquoson, and Back rivers; the Guinea Marshes; Goodwin Islands; and the mouth of the York River. MOBPH also includes Bay Tree Point, the Poquoson Flats, and Plum Tree Island. MOBPH adjoins YRKPH on its western boundary. |
Lower and Middle York River (YRKPH, YRKMH); Lower and Upper Mattaponi River (MPNOH, MPNTF); Lower and Upper Pamunkey River (PMKOH, PMKTF)Lower western shore tributary segments. YRKPH adjoins MOBPH at a boundary extending from approximately west of Hog Island, on the north shore, to west of Thorofare by Goodwin Island, on the south shore. YRKMH adjoins YRKPH at a boundary extending from Blundering Point, north of the mouth of Carter Creek on the north shore, to a point on the south shore below Queens Creek. MPNOH and PMKOH adjoin YRKMH at points just upstream of the mouths of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers. MPNTF and PMKTF adjoin MPNOH and PMKOH, respectively, and include the headwaters of Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers. |
The Mouth of the James River (JMSPH); the Lower, Middle, and Upper James River (JMSMH, JMSOH, JMSTF1 and JMSTF2)Lower western shore tributary segments comprising the southernmost major river entering the Bay. JMSPH adjoins the main stem Bay at its mouth, at a boundary extending from just north of Old Point Comfort on the north shore, to the end of Willoughby Spit on the south shore. JMSPH adjoins the mouth of the Elizabeth River. JMSPH adjoins JMSMH at a boundary extending from Newport News Point on the north shore, to the US Army Disposal Area on the south shore. JMSMH includes the Warwick, Pagan, and Nanesmond rivers; Lawnes, Chuckatuck, and Skiffes creeks; Mulberry Island (Fort Eustis); and the sewage waste and water treatment plant east of Carters Grove. JMSMH adjoins JMSOH at a boundary extending from Hog Island on the south shore, to Carters Grove on the north shore. JMSOH includes Hog Island, Surry Nuclear Power Plant, Jamestown Island, and the mouth of the Chickahominy River. JMSOH adjoins JMSTF1 at a boundary extending from Sloop Point on the south shore to Tettington on the north shore. JMSTF1 and JMSTF2 includes the rest of the James River to the headwaters, including the mouth of the Appomattox River. |
Lower and Middle Elizabeth River (ELIPH); Western Branch (WBEMH), Southern Branch (SBEMH), and Eastern Branch (EBEMH) of the Elizabeth River; Lafayette River (LAFMH); Chickahominy River (CHKOH); and Appomattox River (APPTF)Western shore tributary segments of the James River watershed. APPTF adjoins JMSTF at City Point by Hopewell. CHKOH adjoins JMSOH between During and Barrets points. ELIPH adjoins JMSPH between Sewells Point Spit and Craney Island Flats. LAFMH adjoins ELIPH on its east shore at Tanners Point. ELIMH adjoins ELIPH between Edgewater on the east and the US Naval Supply Center on the west. WBEMH, SBEMH, and EBEMH adjoin ELIMH. |
Mouth of the Chesapeake Bay (CB8PH)Southernmost main stem Bay segment including Little Creek. CB8PH adjoins the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bay at a boundary extending from Cape Henry on the south shore, to a point approximately midway across the mouth, at the boundary with CB7PH. CB8PH adjoins CB6PH and CB7PH in the north, JMSPH in the west, and LYNPH in the south. |
Lynnhaven Bay (LYNPH)Southernmost tributary segment adjoining CB8PH at its mouth. LYNPH includes the Lynnhaven River and Broad and Linkhorn bays. |
Delmarva Peninsula Coastal Bays Zone
Assawoman Bay (AAWPH)Northernmost coastal bay segment. AAWPH includes all of Assawoman Bay and is separated from IOWPH to the south by the Assawoman Bay Bridge. |
Isle of Wight Bay (IOWPH)Northern coastal bay segment. IOWPH includes all of Isle of Wight Bay and is separated from AAWPH to the north by the Assawoman Bay Bridge and from SPXPH to the south by the Ocean City Inlet. |
Sinepuxent Bay (SPXPH)Middle coastal bay segment. SPXPH includes all of Sinepuxent Bay and is separated from IOWPH to the north by the Ocean City Inlet and from CHNPH to the south by a boundary running from a point north of South Point on the west shore to a point south of Goose Point on the east shore. |
Chincoteague Bay (CHNPH)Southern coastal bay segment. CHNPH includes all of Chincoteague Bay, Chincoteague Channel, Chincoteague Inlet, Assateague Bay, Assateague Channel, and Toms Cove. CHNPH is separated from SPXPH to the north by a boundary running from a point north of South Point on the west shore to a point south of Goose Point on the east shore. CHNPH is bounded to the south by a boundary running from a point on Wallops Island to a point on Assateague Island. |
Southern Virginia Coastal Bays (SVCPH)Southernmost coastal bay segment. SVCPH includes all of the Virginia coastal bays on the seaside of the Delmarva Peninsula that are south of Chincoteague Bay. SVCPH is separated from CB7PH, which completely includes Fishermans Island, to the west by a boundary running from Wise Point to a point in Smith Island Inlet then across the Bay mouth to Cape Henry |