Merrymeeting Bay

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Merrymeeting Bay is a large freshwater tidal bay in Sagadahoc County, Maine in the United States. A small part of the bay is in Cumberland County. Merrymeeting Bay's unusual geography defies common landform terms. It is not what is usually meant by the word bay. It is somewhat like an estuary except for being fresh water with very little salt. It is sometimes described as an "inland delta" or a "tidal riverine".

Six rivers flow into the bay. The two largest are the Kennebec River and the Androscoggin River. The four other rivers are the Cathance River, Eastern River, Abagadasset River, and Muddy River.

Merrymeeting Bay is linked to the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean by the Lower Kennebec River, a long saltwater tidal channel. The Lower Kennebec River and Merrymeeting Bay are known collectively as the Kennebec Estuary. Merrymeeting Bay's connection to the Lower Kennebec River is via a narrow strait called The Chops. The waters of the bay flow out through the chops at low tide. While high tide brings seawater back through The Chops into the bay, most of the bay's water comes from the six rivers, resulting in a tidal waterbody with very little salt.

Merrymeeting Bay is about 17 miles from the ocean and contains many river delta characteristics. The tides average about 5 feet.

The unusual combination of a large body of freshwater and strong tides results in an intertidal habitat haboring a variety of rare plant species.

Large numbers of migrating birds use Merrymeeting Bay as a stopping point. For the east coast of the United States, the concentration of waterfowl at Merrymeeting Bay is second only to Chesapeake Bay. The strong tidal currents, saltwater in the Lower Kennebec River, and high tides prevent the Merrymeeting Bay and the Lower Kennebec from freezing, making it an ideal wintering habitat for waterfowl.

The bay also supports runs of migratory fish, including Atlantic salmon, sturgeon, shad, and alewives.

Variant names of Merrymeeting Bay according to the USGS include Chisapeak Bay, Lake of New Somersett, Merry Meeting, Nassouac, Naxoat, New Somerset Lake, Quabacook, and Swan Pond.

Nearly towns and cities include Bath, Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoinham,