Publications

Conowingo Dam is one of three dams on the lower Susquehanna River. For 90 years, the deep, still water of the Conowingo Reservoir behind the dam has captured sediment and nutrient pollution carried downstream by the river. Recent studies, however, indicate that the reservoir is becoming less effective as a “pollution gate” because the reservoir has filled with sediment and is reaching capacity. During large storms and severe floods, the Susquehanna River’s fast-moving flow scoops up some of the sediment (and attached nutrients) stored within the reservoir and carries it over the dam and into the Chesapeake Bay.

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The 2010 Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL) outlines the reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that are needed to ensure th Bay can meet water quality standards. To collectively achieve these Bay-wide reductions, each watershed jurisdiction is assigned specific nitrogen and phosphorus reduction targets to meet. New draft planning targets for the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) have been developed and are currently under review by each of the jurisdictions, with final planning targets expected to be released in late May 2018.

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The suite of computer modeling tools developed by the Chesapeake Bay Program divides the 64,000-square mile watershed into thousands of smaller segments, and helps us understand the impact of pollution-reducing policies and practices at the regional and local level. The most significant value of the suite of modeling tools is the ability to predict how the Chesapeake Bay will respond to future conditions such as pollutant loads, land use changes and climate change

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Phase 6 is the newest version of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model, now called the Chesapeake Bay Suite of Modeling Tools. Its simplified structure makes it easy to use and its data and information have been expanded and improved. But how is it different from the previous version?

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Watershed management planning provides opportunities to address water quality and habitat issues within the physical boundaries of a watershed rather than political boundaries. It is an inclusive approach to support environmental protection, quality of life issues, and economic development- using the watershed as a holistic planning framework

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Watershed management planning establishes partnerships between local and state governments, community organizations and any other groups with the common goal of protecting your watershed. Additionally, watershed management planning is a holistic approach to implementing many existing programs. Coordinating community efforts to create a watershed-focused plan can help you more efficiently reach your goals.

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On December 9, 2003, the Chesapeake Executive Council called for the establishment of a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Finance Panel to seek new and innovative ways to finance and secure the Bay's future. The Blue Ribbon Panel has been asked to consider funding sources to implement the tributary strategies basin-wide and to make recommendations regarding other actions at the federal, state and local level to the Executive Council.

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The Chesapeake Executive Council selected fifteen members to a new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Finance Panel charged with developing innovative solutions to financing the multi-billion dollar Bay restoration effort. The 15-member panel includes high-level business leaders of major companies, financial and economic experts, and stakeholders with experience in storm water, agriculture, air emission and wastewater treatment plant funding and pollution control.

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To accelerate the protection and restoration of the Bay watershed, Chesapeake Bay Program partners are developing 36 river-specific cleanup strategies that cover all 64,000 square miles in the basin. These Tributary Strategies aim to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution coming from all non-point pollution sources.

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Dissolved oxygen is vital to the health of the living resources in Chesapeake Bay. This background fact sheet explains the sources of dissolved oxygen, the role dissolved oxygen plays in the Bay ecosystem, and explains low dissolved oxygen conditions sometimes observed in the Bay.

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