The body of water that is often protected naturally from storms by barrier islands and also contains a mixture of fresh and salt water is called an **estuary**. Estuaries are bodies of water and their surrounding coastal habitats typically found where rivers meet the sea. They are partially enclosed bodies of water where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. The mixing of these waters creates a unique environment that supports a variety of plants and animals .
Estuaries are often called lagoons, sounds, bays, or even lakes. They are important habitats for many species of fish, birds, and other wildlife. They also serve as nurseries for many commercially important fish and shellfish species.
An example of an estuary is the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals.
