Maps

Changes in nitrogen concentrations have been determined for the period 1985-2011 at 31 stream sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Of these, the majority of the flow-adjusted trends were improving, with 21 sites having improving trends, 3 sites had degrading trends, and 7 sites the trends were not statistically significant.

This map shows long-term flow-adjusted trends for suspended sediment (32 sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed) from 1985-2009.

Long-Term Flow-Adjusted Trends for Total Phosphorus (32 Sites in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed) 1985-2009

This map shows the long-term flow-adjusted trends for total nitrogen at 32 Sites in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from 1985-2009.

This is a key to non-tidal monitoring stations used to illustrate trend-yield data for nutrients and sediment.

Over the past 10 years, sediment concentration trends show mixed responses among the monitoring sites with the majority of results being not significant, 5 sites indicate improving conditions while 6 sites indicate degrading conditions. The trend results indicate that in some locations, management actions, such as erosion and runoff controls may have contributed to reducing sediment concentrations in streams. The short-term flow-adjusted trends and yields indicator is calculated, and results and maps are published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a larger effort to determine loads and trends in nutrient and sediment concentrations and streamflow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Over the past 10 years, phosphorus concentration trends are not significant at more than half (19 of 33) monitoring sites within the Bay watershed. Improving trends were estimated at 10 sites while degrading conditions were reported at 4 sites, indicating that in some locations, management actions, such as improved wastewater treatment and nonpoint-source pollution controls (i.e. urban stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff controls), have reduced phosphorus concentrations in streams. The short-term flow-adjusted trends and yields indicator is calculated, and results and maps are published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a larger effort to determine loads and trends in nutrient and sediment concentrations and streamflow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Over the past 10 years, nitrogen concentration trends are downward at about half (16 out of 33) monitoring sites within the Bay watershed. The trend results indicate that in many locations, management actions, such as improved wastewater treatment and nonpoint-source pollution controls (i.e. urban stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff controls), have reduced nitrogen concentrations in streams. In addition, in the last 5 years, higher yields indicate a tendency to be located in the northern half of the watershed, conversely. lower yields are more numerous in the lower half of the watershed. The short-term flow-adjusted trends and yields indicator is calculated, and results and maps are published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a larger effort to determine loads and trends in nutrient and sediment concentrations and streamflow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Over the past 24 years, sediment concentration trends show mixed responses among the monitoring sites with the majority of results being not significant or downward. The trend results indicate that in some locations, management actions, such as erosion and runoff controls have reduced sediment concentrations in streams. The flow-adjusted trends indicator is calculated, and published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a larger effort to determine loads and trends in nutrient and sediment concentrations and streamflow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A complete description of data analysis methods can be found in Langland, M. J., and others, Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal basins in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 1985-2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5178, 75 p., available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5178/

Over the past 24 years, phosphorus concentration trends are downward at the majority of long-term monitoring sites within the Bay watershed. The trend results indicate that in many locations, management actions, such as improved wastewater treatment and nonpoint-source pollution controls (i.e. urban stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff controls), have reduced phosphorus concentrations in streams. The flow-adjusted trends indicator is calculated, and published annually by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of a larger effort to determine loads and trends in nutrient and sediment concentrations and streamflow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A complete description of data analysis methods can be found in Langland, M. J., and others, Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal basins in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 1985-2004: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5178, 75 p., available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5178/