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.

The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2024 Coastal Bays health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four water quality indicators (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals.

Published in 2025, the 2024 Severn River Report Card summarizes data collected in the summer of 2024. Overall health of the Severn River scored a 76% (C), compared ot a 77% (C+) in 2023. The report card also expresses gratitude to the Severn River Association's volunteer program, whose tireless efforts make the report card possible.

The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy produced its first-ever report card in 2025. Since 1995, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has worked to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat through community science, advocacy, education, and habitat restoration. Our programs engage residents of all ages in meaningful experiences that inspire action and stewardship for Loudoun County, Virginia’s natural resources.

Informe de calificaciones de los arroyos de Loudoun 2025: Una publicación de Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy … Desde 1995, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy se dedica a proteger, preservar y restaurar el hábitat de la vida silvestre mediante la ciencia comunitaria, la educación, la defensa ambiental y la restauración de ecosistemas.

Parachute science is the problematic and extractive practice of non-local researchers taking data, knowledge and information from communities of which they are not members, failing to engage the local community and local scientists, marginalizing them in most aspects of the research, and using the results to their own benefit.

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.