Bar-Built Estuaries

11/15/24

“How can barrier islands create special estuaries?”

Barrier islands protect mainlands from harsh storms. Sometimes their backside also forms an estuary with a nearby river. These Bar-Built Estuaries typically have low water volume flows with the surrounding ocean, and can even temporarily turn into lagoons. The Salmon River in Oregon is an example of a bar-built estuary.

Image credit: http://www.oregonconservationstrategy.com