Chesapeake Bay Activities
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The Chesapeake Bay is our Nation’s largest estuary and provides over $100 billion in annual economic value. The USGS works with Federal, State, local, and academic partners to provide research and monitoring and to communicate results to inform management for the Chesapeake and other important landscapes across the Nation. See our Science page to learn about our themes and topics being addressed.
New map-based narrative of mercury in the Chesapeake watershed
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is a vibrant ecosystem rich in cultural significance and natural resources. However, the watershed has a history of impairment due to mercury, the primary cause of fish consumption advisories in the watershed.
Find out moreChesapeake Science Partners Produce Tributary Summaries
Several Chesapeake Bay science partners collaborated to compile tributary basin summaries for 12 major tributaries or tributary groups in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
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Learn more about USGS science activities in the Bay from our Science Strategy. Additional summaries of the USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities are available in the science topics section.
Science Summaries, Features, and Videos
News
For the second year in a row, smaller Chesapeake Bay dead zone forecast for the summer
Chesapeake Bay Program — Press Release — June 21, 2021
News Feature: The complex case of Chesapeake Bay restoration
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America — by John Carey — June 16, 2021
Interagency Statement: USGS and Partners Investigating DC Area Bird Mortality Event
In late May, wildlife managers in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. No definitive cause of death is identified at this time.
Publications
U.S. Geological Survey landscape science strategy 2020–2030
Across our Nation, multiple Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments are working with stakeholders and landowners to restore, conserve, and manage lands and resources to benefit fish, wildlife, and people. One of the largest Federal efforts is led by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with multiple DOI agencies working to conserve and...
Jenni, Karen E.; Carter, Sarah K.; Aumen, Nicholas G.; Bowen, Zachary H.; Bradford, John B.; Chotkowski, Michael A.; Hsu, Leslie; Murdoch, Peter S.; Phillips, Scott W.; Pope, Kevin L.; Schuster, Rudy; Steinkamp, Melanie J.; Weltzin, Jake; Xian, George Z.
Nutrient trends and drivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
The Chesapeake Bay Program maintains an extensive nontidal monitoring network, measuring nitrogen and phosphorus (nutrients) at more than 100 locations on rivers and streams in the watershed. Data from these locations are used by United States Geological Survey to assess the ecosystem’s response to nutrient-reduction efforts. This fact sheet...
Hyer, Kenneth E.; Phillips, Scott W.; Ator, Scott W.; Moyer, Douglas L.; Webber, James S.; Felver, Rachel; Keisman, Jennifer L.; McDonnell, Lee A.; Murphy, Rebecca; Trentacoste, Emily M.; Zhang, Qian; Dennison, William C.; Swanson, Sky; Walsh, Brianne; Hawkey, Jane; Taillie, Dylan
Spatial and temporal patterns of low streamflow and precipitation changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Spatial and temporal patterns in low streamflows were investigated for 183 streamgages located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for the period 1939–2013. Metrics that represent different aspects of the frequency and magnitude of low streamflows were examined for trends: (1) the annual time series of seven‐day average minimum streamflow, (2) the...
Fleming, Brandon J.; Archfield, Stacey A.; Hirsch, Robert M.; Kiang, Julie E.; Wolock, David M.