What are estuarine wetlands?

Estuarine Wetland at Georgiana Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuarine wetlands form along the tidal reaches of rivers and streams, and along the margins of estuarine bays and straits. They depend on regular tidal flooding, although the timing and degree of tidal flooding might be managed with tide gates, weirs, and other water control structures. Common names for estuarine wetlands include tidal flats, tidal marshes, and salt marshes. Depending on the mixture of freshwater and saltwater that floods an estuarine wetland, it might be fresh, brackish, or saline.


  • Georgiana Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
    [click on image to enlarge]

( Updated 4/20/16 )