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Fish, Streams, and Water Quality

The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports important recreational and commercial fisheries, but many are declining due to poor water quality, loss of quality habitat and increased invasive species. The USGS science activities are improving the understanding of how restoration and conservation efforts, along with land-use and climate change, are affecting conditions for fish, wildlife, and people.

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Determining Nutrient and Sediment Loads and Trends in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by Using An Enhanced Statistical Technique

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. In recent decades, however, the bay and its tributaries have been degraded by excessive inputs of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment from contributing watersheds, and in 1998, the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries were listed as “impaired” under the Clean...
Determining Nutrient and Sediment Loads and Trends in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by Using An Enhanced Statistical Technique

Determining Nutrient and Sediment Loads and Trends in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by Using An Enhanced Statistical Technique

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. In recent decades, however, the bay and its tributaries have been degraded by excessive inputs of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment from contributing watersheds, and in 1998, the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries were listed as “impaired” under the Clean...
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Skin Lesions and Mortality of Fishes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. The bay and its watershed have been degraded, however, by poor water quality, loss of habitat, and overharvesting. The Chesapeake Bay Program, a cooperative program among several Federal and State agencies, is working to restore fish and wildlife in the bay watershed and the...
Skin Lesions and Mortality of Fishes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Skin Lesions and Mortality of Fishes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. The bay and its watershed have been degraded, however, by poor water quality, loss of habitat, and overharvesting. The Chesapeake Bay Program, a cooperative program among several Federal and State agencies, is working to restore fish and wildlife in the bay watershed and the...
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Flux of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Suspended Sediment from the Susquehanna River Basin to the Chesapeake Bay During Tropical Storm Lee, September 2011, as in Indicator of the Effects of Reservoir Sedimentation on Water Quality

Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment are measured at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage at Conowingo Dam at the downstream end of the Susquehanna River Basin in Maryland, where the river flows into the Chesapeake Bay. During the period September 7–15, 2011, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee, concentrations of these three constituents were among the highest ever...
Flux of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Suspended Sediment from the Susquehanna River Basin to the Chesapeake Bay During Tropical Storm Lee, September 2011, as in Indicator of the Effects of Reservoir Sedimentation on Water Quality

Flux of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Suspended Sediment from the Susquehanna River Basin to the Chesapeake Bay During Tropical Storm Lee, September 2011, as in Indicator of the Effects of Reservoir Sedimentation on Water Quality

Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment are measured at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage at Conowingo Dam at the downstream end of the Susquehanna River Basin in Maryland, where the river flows into the Chesapeake Bay. During the period September 7–15, 2011, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee, concentrations of these three constituents were among the highest ever...
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Science Summary—Indicators of Reproductive Endocrine Disruption in Fish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. The bay and its tributaries have been degraded in recent decades, however, as a result of excessive inputs of nutrients and sediment and by the impacts of toxic contaminants on the health of fish and wildlife. Although a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been established to...
Science Summary—Indicators of Reproductive Endocrine Disruption in Fish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Science Summary—Indicators of Reproductive Endocrine Disruption in Fish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. The bay and its tributaries have been degraded in recent decades, however, as a result of excessive inputs of nutrients and sediment and by the impacts of toxic contaminants on the health of fish and wildlife. Although a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been established to...
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USGS summarizes information about the Chesapeake Bay and implications for ecosystem management (USGS Circular 1316)

The USGS released the Circular 1316: “Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey Science for the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem and Implications for Environmental Management”
USGS summarizes information about the Chesapeake Bay and implications for ecosystem management (USGS Circular 1316)

USGS summarizes information about the Chesapeake Bay and implications for ecosystem management (USGS Circular 1316)

The USGS released the Circular 1316: “Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey Science for the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem and Implications for Environmental Management”
Learn More
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