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Discovering Connections Across America's Lands and Waters

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USGS Chesapeake Accomplishments and Highlights for 2024

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Susquehanna River Story

What does the science say about water quality?

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Road salt elevates salinity above background levels in freshwater streams and rivers across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

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Wastewater and landscape sources contributing to pesticide contamination

Potomac River watershed

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PFAS found in Smallmouth Bass throughout the mid-Atlantic United States

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Publications

Discover Chesapeake related science in reports and journal articles authored by USGS scientists

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Chesapeake Bay Activities

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.

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USGS Chesapeake Accomplishments and Highlights for 2024

Technician, wearing life jacket, on riverbank reaching up to use cableway to collect water sample

As a home to 18 million people and a destination for countless visitors seeking recreational opportunities, the heath of the Chesapeake Bay watershed is of critical importance. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a leading provider of data-driven insights about the condition of the watershed’s lands, waters, fish, and wildlife.

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Susquehanna River Story — What does the science say about water quality?

Screenshot image showing title of video, USGS identifier, and photo of broad river with shoreline and sky

The wide and majestic Susquehanna River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and provides water for over 4 million people.  Despite its beauty, the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay downstream has been facing the detrimental effects of excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

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Quick Links

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.

News

Water quality in Chesapeake’s small watersheds gets a closer look

Water quality in Chesapeake’s small watersheds gets a closer look

Could treating acid mine drainage be causing problems downstream?

Could treating acid mine drainage be causing problems downstream?

USGS Releases Geonarrative Highlighting Water Quality Monitoring Efforts in the Chiques and Swatara Creek Watersheds

USGS Releases Geonarrative Highlighting Water Quality Monitoring Efforts in the Chiques and Swatara Creek Watersheds

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Publications

Reproductive parameters in invasive blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Delaware, 2020–22

Over the past few decades, Ictalurus furcatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1840; blue catfish) have become a formidable invasive species in tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Delaware. Knowledge of their reproductive behaviors can support managers in the determination of ideal timing and implementation of mitigation strategies. In 2020–22, the U.S...
Authors
Heather L. Walsh, Christine L. Densmore, Amy M. Regish, Jessica Norstog, Johnny Moore, Branson Williams, Noah Bressman, Zachary Crum
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) use of a staging site in the Chesapeake Bay

In 2021, we initiated fieldwork to assess the relative importance of a staging area for Sterna hirundo (Common Tern) at a pier at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, MD. During the post-breeding periods of 2021 through 2023, we resighted 378 banded Common Terns at this staging area, with individuals originating from 6 breeding colonies. Most banded individuals were...
Authors
Benjamin Springer, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Diann J. Prosser, Kyle Rambo, J. Jordan Price
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Physical habitat is more than a sediment issue: A multi-dimensional habitat assessment indicates new approaches for river management

Degraded physical habitat is a common stressor affecting river ecosystems and typically addressed in the United States (US) through a regulatory focus on sediment. However, a narrow regulatory focus on sediment may overlook other aspects of physical habitat and the processes for its creation, maintenance, and degradation. In addition, there exist few “ready-to-use” regional assessments...
Authors
Matthew J. Cashman, Gina Lee, Leah Ellen Staub, Michelle Patricia Katoski, Kelly O. Maloney
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities
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Science

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Blue Catfish Electrofishing on the Potomac River

Population Monitoring and Removal Strategies for Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in Chesapeake Bay

USGS is helping with the design of a population survey and developing mathematical models to assess potential activities to manage the population of invasive blue catfish ( Ictalurus furcatus) in the Chesapeake Bay. This research will help managers determine the cost and feasibility of approaches to control this invasive species.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Population Monitoring and Removal Strategies for Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in Chesapeake Bay

USGS is helping with the design of a population survey and developing mathematical models to assess potential activities to manage the population of invasive blue catfish ( Ictalurus furcatus) in the Chesapeake Bay. This research will help managers determine the cost and feasibility of approaches to control this invasive species.
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A gadwall duck with GPS transmitter in flight

Avian Influenza Spread, Prevalence and Persistence

USGS researchers seek to understand the factors influencing the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses on the landscape. This research also addresses how novel strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza are impacting a larger number and diversity of host species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and other birds.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Environmental Health Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Avian Influenza Spread, Prevalence and Persistence

USGS researchers seek to understand the factors influencing the spread and persistence of avian influenza viruses on the landscape. This research also addresses how novel strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza are impacting a larger number and diversity of host species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and other birds.
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conceptual diagram

Advancing Risk Modeling for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Southeast Asia has long been the epicenter of AIV emergence. However, as demonstrated by H5NX, these viruses can quickly reach global spread and have significant impacts on poultry production and human health. Researchers at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center have two ongoing efforts funded by the National Science Foundation to help improve our understanding of AIV emergence, spread, and...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Advancing Risk Modeling for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Southeast Asia has long been the epicenter of AIV emergence. However, as demonstrated by H5NX, these viruses can quickly reach global spread and have significant impacts on poultry production and human health. Researchers at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center have two ongoing efforts funded by the National Science Foundation to help improve our understanding of AIV emergence, spread, and...
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