Health Of Entire Chesapeake Bay Improves For 1st Time: UMD Study

COLLEGE PARK, MD — While scientists have measured improvement in the water quality and animal life in parts of Chesapeake Bay in the past, a new University of Maryland study says for the first time that the health of the entire bay is better. For the first time since the university's Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Bay Report Card scores have been calculated, the positive trajectory that of the last 12 years is proof that efforts to improve conditions in the Bay are working, study authors said.

The nation's largest estuary — the area rivers flow through wetlands to meet the ocean — scored a C grade (54%) in the 2017 report card; the study gave an A+ grade (95%) for fish populations.

“This is exciting news. It is the first time that the Chesapeake Bay report card scores are significantly trending in the right direction. We have seen individual regions improving before, but not the entire Chesapeake Bay. It seems that the restoration efforts are beginning to take hold,” said Bill Dennison, vice president for science application at the UMD center.

Five out of seven signs of Bay health improved or remained the same in 2017, including aquatic grasses, which improved to the highest level ever recorded. Grasses provide a home for blue crabs and striped bass along with many other species and can be considered a positive beacon and necessary foundation for Bay restoration, the report says.

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No regions have declined in the years UMD has gauged the condition of the Bay. Seven regions, including the James River which earned a B- for the first time, improved, along with the Elizabeth River, Choptank River, and Upper Western Shore regions. The region closest to Washington, D.C., the Potomac River, did not show improvement in 2017.

See the full release on the UMD report here.

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Photo of Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis by Patch Editor Emily Leayman