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Breck M Sullivan

Breck Sullivan is a Physical Scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey, currently working at the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center in the Chesapeake Bay Program office.

Education and Certifications

  • Master's at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) in Environmental Monitoring and Modeling

  • B.S. from Salisbury University

Science and Products

4 puzzle pieces to represent CBP's monitoring efforts

USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

Issue: In March 2021, the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) requested a study and recommendations on how to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring networks to improve decision-making for the goals of the Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. The monitoring networks include (1) CBP core networks supported primarily by EPA CBP funding (i.e., Tidal Water Quality, Nontidal Water Quality...
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities
USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

Issue: In March 2021, the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) requested a study and recommendations on how to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring networks to improve decision-making for the goals of the Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. The monitoring networks include (1) CBP core networks supported primarily by EPA CBP funding (i.e., Tidal Water Quality, Nontidal Water Quality...
Learn More
No results found.

Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Understanding drivers of water quality in local watersheds is the first step for implementing targeted restoration practices. Nutrient inventories can inform water quality management decisions by identifying shifts in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances over space and time while also keeping track of the likely urban and agricultural point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The...
Authors
Robert D. Sabo, Breck Maura Sullivan, Cuiyin Wu, Emily M. Trentacoste, Qian Zhang, Gary W. Shenk, Gopal Bhatt, Lewis C. Linker
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022 Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022

The Potomac Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period of 1985 to 2022, and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN)...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Sarah Betts, Gabriel Duran, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Michael Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Thomas Butler, Zhaoying Wei
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Rappahannock tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2022 Rappahannock tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2022

The Rappahannock Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period of 1985 to 2022, and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN)...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Sarah Betts, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Michael F. Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Thomas Butler, Vanessa Van Note, Angie Wei
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

James Tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2021 James Tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2021

The James Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period 1985 – 2021 and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN), surface...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Mike Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Tom Butler, Vanessa Van Note, Zhaoying Wei
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Retrospective on lessons learned from the Chesapeake Bay Program strategy review system’s 3rd cycle with suggested adaptations to address the issues Retrospective on lessons learned from the Chesapeake Bay Program strategy review system’s 3rd cycle with suggested adaptations to address the issues

No abstract available.
Authors
Keith Bollt, Breck Maura Sullivan, Kristin Saunders
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Understanding drivers of water quality in local watersheds is the first step for implementing targeted restoration practices. Nutrient inventories can inform water quality management decisions by identifying shifts in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances over space and time while also keeping track of the likely urban and agricultural point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The...
Authors
Robert D. Sabo, Breck Maura Sullivan, Cuiyin Wu, Emily M. Trentacoste, Qian Zhang, Gary W. Shenk, Gopal Bhatt, Lewis C. Linker
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Potomac Tributary Summary

Potomac Tributary Summary

Chesapeake Bay Program — September 16, 2025

Read Article

Science and Products

4 puzzle pieces to represent CBP's monitoring efforts

USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

Issue: In March 2021, the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) requested a study and recommendations on how to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring networks to improve decision-making for the goals of the Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. The monitoring networks include (1) CBP core networks supported primarily by EPA CBP funding (i.e., Tidal Water Quality, Nontidal Water Quality...
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities
USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

USGS and CBP produce report to enhance Chesapeake Bay and watershed monitoring networks

Issue: In March 2021, the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) requested a study and recommendations on how to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring networks to improve decision-making for the goals of the Chesapeake Watershed Agreement. The monitoring networks include (1) CBP core networks supported primarily by EPA CBP funding (i.e., Tidal Water Quality, Nontidal Water Quality...
Learn More
No results found.

Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Understanding drivers of water quality in local watersheds is the first step for implementing targeted restoration practices. Nutrient inventories can inform water quality management decisions by identifying shifts in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances over space and time while also keeping track of the likely urban and agricultural point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The...
Authors
Robert D. Sabo, Breck Maura Sullivan, Cuiyin Wu, Emily M. Trentacoste, Qian Zhang, Gary W. Shenk, Gopal Bhatt, Lewis C. Linker
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022 Potomac Tributary Summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985 - 2022

The Potomac Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period of 1985 to 2022, and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN)...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Sarah Betts, Gabriel Duran, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Michael Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Thomas Butler, Zhaoying Wei
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Rappahannock tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2022 Rappahannock tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2022

The Rappahannock Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period of 1985 to 2022, and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN)...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Sarah Betts, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Michael F. Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Thomas Butler, Vanessa Van Note, Angie Wei
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

James Tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2021 James Tributary summary: A summary of trends in tidal water quality and associated factors, 1985-2021

The James Tributary Summary outlines change over time for a suite of monitored tidal water quality parameters and associated potential drivers of those trends for the period 1985 – 2021 and provides a brief description of the current state of knowledge explaining these observed changes. Water quality parameters described include surface (above pycnocline) total nitrogen (TN), surface...
Authors
Breck Maura Sullivan, Kaylyn Gootman, Alex Gunnerson, Cindy Johnson, Christopher A. Mason, Elgin Perry, Gopal Bhatt, Jennifer L. Keisman, James S. Webber, Jon Harcum, Mike Lane, Olivia Devereux, Qian Zhang, Rebecca Murphy, Renee Karrh, Tom Butler, Vanessa Van Note, Zhaoying Wei
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Retrospective on lessons learned from the Chesapeake Bay Program strategy review system’s 3rd cycle with suggested adaptations to address the issues Retrospective on lessons learned from the Chesapeake Bay Program strategy review system’s 3rd cycle with suggested adaptations to address the issues

No abstract available.
Authors
Keith Bollt, Breck Maura Sullivan, Kristin Saunders
By
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed Major point and nonpoint sources of nutrient pollution to surface water have declined throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Understanding drivers of water quality in local watersheds is the first step for implementing targeted restoration practices. Nutrient inventories can inform water quality management decisions by identifying shifts in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances over space and time while also keeping track of the likely urban and agricultural point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The...
Authors
Robert D. Sabo, Breck Maura Sullivan, Cuiyin Wu, Emily M. Trentacoste, Qian Zhang, Gary W. Shenk, Gopal Bhatt, Lewis C. Linker
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Potomac Tributary Summary

Potomac Tributary Summary

Chesapeake Bay Program — September 16, 2025

Read Article
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