Freshwater streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are home to numerous aquatic organisms (like fish, amphibians, mussels, and insects) and provide drinking water and recreational opportunities to people living in or visiting the watershed. Land-use changes, such as urban development and increased activities in certain agricultural sectors, have degraded water quality and altered conditions in these streams, thereby affecting their health and function.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about bacteria, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides monitoring information about benthic macroinvertebrates, including why they're important and how they're monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about chlorophyll, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about conductivity, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about dissolved oxygen, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about nitrogen, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about pH, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about phosphorus, including why it's important and how it's monitored.

This fact sheet provides water monitoring information about salinity, including why it's important and how it's monitored.