Water: Oceans, Coasts, Estuaries & Beaches Coastal Watershed
Factsheets - Nearshore Waters and Your Coastal Watershed |Office
of Water earshore waters in lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans
reflect the conditions and activities within the coastal
watershed. They are an important component of that complex and
dynamic watershed. What Are Nearshore Waters and What Do They
Do? Stand on any beach or shoreline and look out toward the
water. What you'll see is an area called the nearshore, which is
a part of all coastal watersheds. The nearshore is defined as an
indefinite zone extending seaward from the shoreline well beyond
the breaker zone. It defines the area where the current system
is caused primarily by wave action. Whether marine or
freshwater, nearshore waters serve a variety of functions. -
They provide a unique habitat for a variety of plants and
animals. Sea grasses and other aquatic plants living in the
nearshore waters provide food and shelter for many species of
fish and shellfish. Many marine organi