Glacial Estuary

Glaciers still feed some fjord estuaries. Called tidewater glaciers, these "rivers of ice" add tons of icy freshwater to the ocean ecosystem. Sawyer Glacier, above, empties into the Tracy Arm Fjord near Juneau, Alaska.

Photograph by Graham Starczewski, MyShot

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estuary Encyclopedic Entry

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6 - 12 and up

Subjects
Earth Science, Biology, Geography

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Students

An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. When freshwater and seawater combine, the water becomes brackish, or slightly salty.

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Photograph by Graham Starczewski, MyShot

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