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Browse History: Watershed Stream Health (2008) | Region Summaries (2008) | Choptank River (2008) | Elizabeth River (2008)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



  Estuary Selection Map

Scores & Conceptual Diagram


Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
23%*		Elizabeth River: 2008

Incomplete assessment.Two of the three biotic indicators do not have data at this time, leading to an incomplete assessment. Water quality score over the past 20 years has been consistently poor, showing no signs of improving.

* Based on the average of four indicators, grade not provided.
  • Water quality: Water clarity in 2008 was very poor (2%), which is consistent with most scores over the past 20 years. Chlorophyll a improved slightly in 2008 compared to 2007, this was offset by a decrease in dissolved oxygen.
  • Biotic indicators: Two of the three biotic indicators do not have data at this time, leading to an incomplete assessment. Aquatic grasses are not measured in the Elizabeth River because they do not naturally occur in this region (designated a "No Growth Zone"). Benthic community condition data will be available in summer 2008. The phytoplankton community condition score in 2008 was 0%, meaning none of the samples collected passed the threshold level.

Score Legend 		Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
28%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
No Growth Zone
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
62%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
Insuff. Data
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
2%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
0%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
31%
   Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
Insuff. Data
 
Excel Spreadsheet

Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

Editable Vector Diagram (SVG)

Maps

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Region Info

The Elizabeth River watershed drains approximately 200 square miles of land and flows into the mouth of the James River. The main branch of the estuary is approximately 5 mi long and 2 mi wide at its mouth. Land use on the watershed is predominantly urban with the Cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth flanking the main tributaries.

elizabeth_riverconceptual diagram.png

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