tidewater
Ocean-influenced shoreline waters
Tidewater refers to water affected by tides—coastal areas where rivers meet the sea and water levels rise and fall with tidal cycles.
The term often describes low-lying coastal regions: tidewater Virginia, tidewater plantations.
In American usage, Tidewater specifically names the coastal plain of Virginia and Maryland along the Chesapeake Bay.
Mildly salty water
- marshlandWaterlogged lowland area
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- flatsDwellings or low shoes
- bayouMarshy, slow-moving waterway
lagoon · mangrove · swamp · delta · inlet · creek · slough · sound
Mildly salty water
- brineWater saturated with sodium
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- seawaterSalty ocean fluid
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
saline · desalination · salt marsh · halocline · briny · salt flat
Waterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
habitat · ecotone · riparian · sedimentation · detritus · anadromous · hydrophytes · oyster bed
Mid-Atlantic tidal estuary
- NorfolkVirginia coastal city
- Newport NewsTidewater Virginia municipality
- James RiverVirginia river to Chesapeake
- JamestownFirst permanent English settlement
Yorktown · Williamsburg · Potomac · blue crab · oyster · plantation · colonial · naval base
Safe anchorage for ships
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
- shipyardVessel construction site
- marinaRecreational vessel harbor
- anchorageSecure harbor spot
vessel · channel · waterway · dredging · buoy · shipping · port · wharf
Height above reference point
Sudden powerful increase
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- overflowExceed capacity and spill
- submergePlunge beneath liquid
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
drench · saturate · runoff · freshet · storm surge · floodplain · waterlogged · encroachment
brackish
Mildly salty water
bayou · lagoon · mangrove · swamp · delta · inlet · creek · slough · sound · bight
brackish
Mildly salty water
saltwater · saline · desalination · salt marsh · halocline · briny · salt flat
wetland
Waterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- floraPlants of a region
fauna · habitat · ecotone · riparian · sedimentation · detritus · anadromous · hydrophytes · oyster bed · seagrass
Chesapeake Bay
Mid-Atlantic tidal estuary
- NorfolkVirginia coastal city
- Newport NewsTidewater Virginia municipality
- James RiverVirginia river to Chesapeake
Jamestown · Yorktown · Williamsburg · Potomac · blue crab · oyster · plantation · colonial · naval base · shipyard
harbor
Safe anchorage for ships
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
- shipyardVessel construction site
- marinaRecreational vessel harbor
anchorage · vessel · channel · waterway · dredging · buoy · shipping · port · wharf · pier
elevation
Height above reference point
surge
Sudden powerful increase
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- overflowExceed capacity and spill
- submergePlunge beneath liquid
engulf · drench · saturate · runoff · freshet · storm surge · floodplain · waterlogged · encroachment
- Eastern U.S.Appalachians, Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic coast, Piedmont
- Humid Southhigh humidity, hot summers, mild winters, muggy weather, sticky heat
- Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay, blue crab, blue crabs, watermen, oyster
- coastal lowlandscoastal plains, lowlands, flatlands, coastal wetlands, marshland
- Gulf CoastGulf of Mexico, Gulfport, Gulf beaches, Gulf Stream, Alabama
- Southeast landscapesbarrier islands, bayous, Blue Ridge Mountains, bottomlands, coastal plains
tidewaterfreshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
headwaters · freshwater stream · fresh water · spring water · mountain stream
tidewateruplands
Elevated inland terrain
highlands · piedmont · backcountry · hinterland · interior