Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

USGS science contributes to "Water quality improves, pollution falls in the Chesapeake Bay" Active

By Chesapeake Bay Activities September 20, 2016

Data show significant drop in nutrient and sediment loads

According to data from the CBP and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads to the Bay were below the long-term average in 2015. Between 2014 and 2015, nitrogen loads fell 25 percent, phosphorus loads fell 44 percent and sediment loads fell 59 percent. Below-average loads are considered positive because reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution can improve water quality.

To learn more about the improvement of water quality and pollution in the Chesapeake visit https://www.chesapeakebay.net/news/article/water_quality_improves_pollution_falls_in_the_chesapeake_bay

♦ Back to Chesapeake Bay Activities Water Quality

Data show significant drop in nutrient and sediment loads

According to data from the CBP and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads to the Bay were below the long-term average in 2015. Between 2014 and 2015, nitrogen loads fell 25 percent, phosphorus loads fell 44 percent and sediment loads fell 59 percent. Below-average loads are considered positive because reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution can improve water quality.

To learn more about the improvement of water quality and pollution in the Chesapeake visit https://www.chesapeakebay.net/news/article/water_quality_improves_pollution_falls_in_the_chesapeake_bay

♦ Back to Chesapeake Bay Activities Water Quality