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Browse History: Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity (2009) | Water Clarity (2009) | Water Quality Index (2009) | Choptank River (2009)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



  Estuary Selection Map

Scores & Conceptual Diagram


Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
34%
D		Choptank River: 2009

Poor ecosystem health. Overall health improved slightly, but is still poor. Improvements in water clarity, and benthic and phytoplankton community conditions. 
  • Water quality: Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a scores were similar to 2008, while water clarity scores increased from 23% to 36% in 2009.
  • Biotic indicators: Phytoplankton community condition continues to improve: from 2% in 2004 to 18% in 2008 and 22% in 2009. Aquatic grasses score improved slightly, but is still poor. Benthic community condition improved from 15% in 2008 to 35% in 2009, but this indicator tends to vary widely every year. 

Score Legend 		Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
21%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
6%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
85%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
35%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
36%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
22%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
47%
   Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
21%
 
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Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

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Region Info

The Choptank River watershed drains approximately 795 square miles. Counties included in the watershed include portions of Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne's, and Talbot. The Choptank River starts in Delaware and becomes tidal near Greensboro, Maryland. Some of the larger bodies of water include the Choptank, Little Choptank, and Tred Avon Rivers. Almost half of the land in the Choptank watershed is agricultural land, with a third being covered in forest. Cambridge is the largest city in the Choptank River watershed, with a population of 11,000. Other major cities and towns include Easton and Denton. The 2000 census population for the Maryland part of the watershed was 71,000. There are four major wastewater treatment plants in the watershed. Three of the four utilize Best Management Practices. (Based on MD DNR Tributary Strategy Report by Aadland et al., 2007 and updated 2000 land use classifications).

choptank_riverconceptual diagram.png

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