This presentation will use a sonar-mapped oyster reef from the dock of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, MD to illustrate, geologically, what the Bay looked like in this vicinity of the Choptank River from 20,000 years ago (when the sea level was 300 feet lower) until now. You will see the Choptank as an energetic, flowing, meandering river; the subsequent incursion of saltwater into the Chesapeake Bay; and sea level reaching its present level from 6,000 years ago. The presentation will show the burying of that reef by sediments washing off the fields of the Wilhelmina Colony up by the Dover Bridge in the late 1800’s. Finally, the program will also suggest that there was more going on to cause the demise of oysters than over exploitation.
Dr. Levin has over 40 years of experience mapping globally dispersed seafloors with a myriad of technologies. He directs the Watershed Innovation Lab at Washington College where he creates affordable water quality observation systems. Doug lives on the Choptank River in Preston, Maryland where he enjoys kayaking, fishing, woodworking, and a good glass of scotch. Choose between Live ZOOM Class Session or Recorded, Wednesday, February 3 from 10:00 to 11:30 am $10. To register for the course, or for more information about Chesapeake Forum Winter/Spring 2021 classes go to our website at https://chesapeakeforum.org/ or visit us on Facebook.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.