Annapolis Basin
Encyclopedia
The Annapolis Basin is a sub-basin of the Bay of Fundy
, located on the southwestern shores of the bay, along the northwestern shore of Nova Scotia
and at the western end of the Annapolis Valley
.
The basin takes its name from the Annapolis River
, which drains into its eastern end at the town of Annapolis Royal
. The basin measures approximately 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) northeast-southwest and 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) at its widest from northwest to southeast.
It is a sheltered and mostly shallow water body, framed by the ridges of the North Mountain
and South Mountain
ranges of the Annapolis Valley; the basin is geologically a continuation of the valley floor. A break in the North Mountain range at the northwestern edge of the basin, called Digby Gut
, provides an outlet to the Bay of Fundy.
The Bay Ferries Limited ferry service operating across the Bay of Fundy between Digby
and Saint John
maintains a terminal on the western shore of the basin near the Digby Gut.
A former Royal Canadian Navy
base and decommissioned Canadian Forces Base
is located between Deep Brook and Clementsport on the southeast shore of the basin - see CFB Cornwallis
.
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
, located on the southwestern shores of the bay, along the northwestern shore of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and at the western end of the Annapolis Valley
Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is a valley and region in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.-Geography:...
.
The basin takes its name from the Annapolis River
Annapolis River
The Annapolis River is a Canadian river located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.-Geography:Measuring 120 kilometres in length, the river flows southwest through the western part of the valley from its source in Caribou Bog near the villages of Aylesford and Berwick in western Kings County, to...
, which drains into its eastern end at the town of Annapolis Royal
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal is a town located in the western part of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. Known as Port Royal until the Conquest of Acadia in 1710 by Britain, the town is the oldest continuous European settlement in North America, north of St...
. The basin measures approximately 24 kilometres (14.9 mi) northeast-southwest and 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) at its widest from northwest to southeast.
It is a sheltered and mostly shallow water body, framed by the ridges of the North Mountain
North Mountain (Nova Scotia)
North Mountain is a narrow southwest-northeast trending volcanic mountain range on the mainland portion of southwestern Nova Scotia, stretching from Brier Island to Cape Split...
and South Mountain
South Mountain (Nova Scotia)
South Mountain is a Canadian range on the mainland portion of Nova Scotia. A granitic ridge stretching from the Annapolis Basin to Mount Uniacke, it forms the southern edge of the Annapolis Valley and shelters the valley from the climate effects of the pelagic coast along the Atlantic Ocean.In...
ranges of the Annapolis Valley; the basin is geologically a continuation of the valley floor. A break in the North Mountain range at the northwestern edge of the basin, called Digby Gut
Digby Gut
The Digby Gut is a narrow channel connecting the Bay of Fundy with the Annapolis Basin. The town of Digby, Nova Scotia is located on the inner portion of the western side of the Gut. The eastern entrance is marked by the Point Prim lighthouse...
, provides an outlet to the Bay of Fundy.
The Bay Ferries Limited ferry service operating across the Bay of Fundy between Digby
Digby, Nova Scotia
Digby is a Canadian town in western Nova Scotia. It is the shiretown and largest population centre in Digby County.The town is situated on the western shore of the Annapolis Basin near the entrance to the Digby Gut which connects the basin to the Bay of Fundy.Named after Admiral Robert Digby, RN,...
and Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
maintains a terminal on the western shore of the basin near the Digby Gut.
Rivers
Rivers which drain into the basin include:- Annapolis RiverAnnapolis RiverThe Annapolis River is a Canadian river located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.-Geography:Measuring 120 kilometres in length, the river flows southwest through the western part of the valley from its source in Caribou Bog near the villages of Aylesford and Berwick in western Kings County, to...
- Bear RiverBear River (Nova Scotia)The Bear River is a minor river in western Nova Scotia. Flowing from south to north, it is long from its headwaters to its discharge into the Annapolis Basin, some east of Digby. The river is tidal for the last of its length...
- Moose River
Communities
The basin hosts several historic seaports, including:- Towns of Annapolis RoyalAnnapolis Royal, Nova ScotiaAnnapolis Royal is a town located in the western part of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. Known as Port Royal until the Conquest of Acadia in 1710 by Britain, the town is the oldest continuous European settlement in North America, north of St...
and DigbyDigby, Nova ScotiaDigby is a Canadian town in western Nova Scotia. It is the shiretown and largest population centre in Digby County.The town is situated on the western shore of the Annapolis Basin near the entrance to the Digby Gut which connects the basin to the Bay of Fundy.Named after Admiral Robert Digby, RN,... - Village of Bear RiverBear River, Nova ScotiaBear River is a small village situated at the head of the tidewaters of the Bear River. The river itself is the border between the Annapolis and Digby counties of Nova Scotia and thus, splits the village so that half the village is in one county and the other half in the other.The village is...
- Communities of Granville FerryGranville Ferry, Nova ScotiaGranville Ferry is a village in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Annapolis County .-References:*...
, Port RoyalPort Royal, Nova ScotiaPort Royal was the capital of Acadia from 1605 to 1710 and is now a town called Annapolis Royal in the western part of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Initially Port Royal was located on the north shore of the Annapolis Basin, Nova Scotia, at the site of the present reconstruction of the...
, Port WadePort Wade, Nova ScotiaPort Wade is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Annapolis County.-References:*...
, Victoria BeachVictoria Beach, Nova ScotiaVictoria Beach is a small community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, in Annapolis County.-References:*...
, ClementsportClementsport, Nova ScotiaClementsport is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Annapolis County.Clementsport is situated on the Annapolis Basin, and along the Moose River. The small town has pizzeria - Jody's Gourmet Pizza, which is part of the Moose River Variety Store...
, Deep BrookDeep Brook, Nova ScotiaDeep Brook is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Annapolis County .-References:*...
, and Smiths CoveSmith's Cove, Nova ScotiaSmith's Cove is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the The Municipality of the District of Digby. in Digby County .-References:*...
A former Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
base and decommissioned Canadian Forces Base
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
is located between Deep Brook and Clementsport on the southeast shore of the basin - see CFB Cornwallis
CFB Cornwallis
Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis is a former Canadian Forces Base located in Deep Brook, Nova Scotia.It is situated in the western part of Annapolis County on the southern shore of the Annapolis Basin...
.