Water Quality and the Chesapeake Bay David O’Brien NOAA Fisheries Service Gloucester Point, VA

1. Water Quality and the Chesapeake Bay David O’Brien NOAA Fisheries Service Gloucester Point, VA

2. Chesapeake Bay The nation’s largest estuary Nation’s most biologically diverse estuary; >3600 species of plants and animals Over 17 million people live in the watershed

3. Chesapeake Bay watershed Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania New York Delaware West Virginia Dist. Columbia

4. What Is a Watershed?

5. Development: Increased impervious surface Increased runoff Increased pollution Lower water table Evaporation Evaporation Decreased Less groundwater flow The Water Cycle Water-vapor transport Less vegetation, thus less evapotranspiration!! Infiltration Ocean Adapted from NEMO

7. Ches Bay Population Growth2010 - 17.2 million

8. Threats to the Chesapeake Bay NUTRIENTS SEDIMENTS TOXIC CHEMICALS HABITAT LOSS OVERFISHING

9. Chesapeake Bay: How is it Doing???

10. Habitat Conversion

11. Watershed development% impervious surface

12. Water Quality Problems Algae blooms and depleted oxygen levels are caused by excessive nutrients When the algae die and decompose, they use up oxygen needed by other plants and animals living in the Bay's waters. Poor water clarity is caused by algae blooms and suspended sediments Algae blooms and sediment cloud the water and block sunlight, causing underwater bay grasses to die.

13. Nutrient and/or Sediment Impaired Impaired WatersEPA 303(d) list Portions of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers are listed under the Clean Water Act as “impaired waters” largely because of low dissolved oxygen levels and other problems related to nutrient pollution. This “listing” requires the development of a clean-up plan for the Bay by 2011. Note: Representation of 303(d) listed waters for nutrient and/or sediment water quality impairments for illustrative purposes only. For exact 303(d) listings contact EPA (http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/). Impaired Water Unimpaired Water

14. Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) HRBT y

15. HAB Lafayette River

16. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Water Quality Sunlight Minimal nutrient and sediment inputs Sunlight Excessive nutrient and sediment inputs Algal Bloom Balanced Algae Growth Healthy Bay Grasses Reduced Bay Grasses Healthy Habitat Unhealthy Habitat Algae Die-off Algae Decomposition Healthy Oyster Reef Barren Oyster Reef Adequate Oxygen No Oxygen No Benthic Community Benthic Community

17. Chesapeake Bay DO 2006-2009

18. Nonpt. Sources • Run-off from farmland • Run-off from lawns and paved areas Point Sources • Industry • Wastewater Treatment Plants Sources of Pollutants to the Bay

19. Nature of Contaminant Inputs Nonpoint Source Origin of discharge is diffuse Discharge may be transient in time Runoff from cropland Effluent from septic systems Highway de-icing salts Point Source Inputs with well defined point of discharge Discharge is usually continuous Leakage from landfills and storage tanks Wastewater treatment facilities Industrial inputs

20. Non-pointSource Pollutants Toxic Substances Sediment Pathogens Nutrients

21. Hurricane Irene sediment plumeSept. 14, 2011

22. 2010 Nitrogen Goal 2010 Phosphorus Goal 2010 Sediment Goal Nutrient and Sediment Load Reduction Goals The 2010 pollutant reduction goals are: Nitrogen - Reduce annual loads to no more than 175 million pounds. Phosphorus - Reduce annual loads to no more than 12.8 million pounds. Land-based Sediment - Reduce annual loads to no more than 4.15 million tons.

23. Nitrogen Loading

24. Phosphorus Loading

25. Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Goals 2009

26. Water Clarity

27. Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

28. Wetland restoration

29. Chesapeake Bay Fish / Shellfish Goals 2009

30. Rockfish Population Stable Baywide Female Spawning Stock Biomass Rockfish have rebounded to levels not seen since the 1950’s, but concerns remain over disease, sufficient sources of food and availability of spawning habitat. Fishing moratoria: MD & DE: 1985-1990 VA: 1989-1990

31. Striped Bass

33. Oysters at Historic Lows Oyster populations in the Chesapeake are at historic lows due to disease, intense harvest pressure and poor water quality.

34. Oyster stocks

35. Oyster restoration efforts

36. Blue Crabs At Risk Mature Female Blue Crabs Blue Crab populations have stabilized at below-average levels. Improved water quality and habitat restoration efforts along with proper management of the crab harvest are needed to restore the Bay’s blue crab populations. Average

37. Blue Crab Largest crab fishery in the world $80 million dockside value in Ches Bay $360 million value to national economy

38. Blue Crab stock

39. SAV 2007-2009 goals

40. Bay Grasses Show Annual Variation Restoration Goal (185,000 acres by 2010) Underwater bay grasses are slowly improving, but further reductions in the pollutants flowing into the Bay are needed to help them flourish. Annual variations in bay grasses show the sensitivity of the Bay ecosystem. *Note – Hatched area of bar includes estimated additional acreage. No Baywide surveys 1979-83 and 1988 Source: Chesapeake Bay Program.

41. SAV aerial coverage

42. PRE-1930’S 1960’S PRESENT

43. Clam Dredge Scarring in Chincoteague Bay

44. SAV Restoration - Planting

45. Special thanks to: Dr. Bob Orth, VIMS SAV Program Chesapeake Bay Program Chesapeake Bay Foundation NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

46. Thanks for your interest!!!