2026 Chesapeake Bay & Watershed Report Card
This report card provides a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed. While bay health focuses on ecological indicators, watershed health includes ecological, economic, and societal indicators. This is the first year that watershed water quality trends have been calculated.
Overall, Chesapeake Bay scored 56%, a C+. This was the highest score ever for the Bay, and long-term trends continue to significantly improve.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed scored 56%, a C+. There were five ecological indicators, four economic indicators, and three societal indicators.
Keywords: Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay, watershed, ecosystem health, raise the grade
