Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Nutrient trends and drivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

January 26, 2021

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 summarizes recent trends in nitrogen and phosphorus in nontidal tributaries and identifies some of the complex factors that affect local water quality, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

Publication Year 2021
Title Nutrient trends and drivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
DOI 10.3133/fs20203069
Authors Kenneth E. Hyer, Scott W. Phillips, Scott W. Ator, Doug L. Moyer, James S. Webber, Rachel Felver, Jennifer L. Keisman, Lee A. McDonnell, Rebecca Murphy, Emily M. Trentacoste, Qian Zhang, William C. Dennison, Sky Swanson, Brianne Walsh, Jane Hawkey, Dylan Taillie
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2020-3069
Index ID fs20203069
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center