"Analysis of recent tidal and nontidal data show lower amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment entering the Chesapeake from its 64,000-square-mile watershed, although Bay water quality remains relatively unchanged from the previous assessment period.

The Chesapeake Bay Program estimates the water quality of the Bay through four indicators: 

• Water quality standards attainment for dissolved oxygen, water clarity (measured by underwater grass abundance) and chlorophyll a (a measure of algae growth).
• Monitored and modeled amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment entering the Chesapeake Bay.
• Monitored nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment trends in the watershed.
• Progress toward the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL), measured by combining monitoring and modeled data to estimate the progress of nitrogen and phosphorus reductions in response to implemented best management practices. . ."

Read the full press release at the Chesapeake Bay Program