Assawoman Bay

Assawoman Bay is a shallow, 3,000-acre inland bay located in southeastern Delaware. The bay is bounded by the towns of Ocean View, Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island, and forms part of the boundary between Delaware and Maryland. It is fed by several small streams and creeks, including Dirickson Creek, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through a shallow inlet. Assawoman Bay is an important ecosystem that supports a variety of fish and wildlife species, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory birds. The bay is also a popular recreational area, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Several marinas and boat ramps are located along the bay's shore, and there are a number of public parks and wildlife areas around the bay as well. Despite its importance, Assawoman Bay faces a number of challenges, including habitat loss and degradation due to development, pollution and nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban areas, and impacts from climate change. Efforts are underway to address these challenges and restore the health of the bay's ecosystem.