Sediment and its impact on the Bay and its Watershed

The USGS, working with members of Chesapeake Bay Program Sediment Workgroup, has completed a document entitled “A Summary Report of Sediment Processess in the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed”. The primary objective of the report is to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of the literature on the sources, transport, and delivery of sediment in Chesapeake Bay and its watershed with discussion of the implications for management actions. The report consists of seven Chapters, each chapter devoted to a particular sediment process (source, transport, depostion, storage and budget) in the watershed and estuary. An extensive Executive Summary presents many of the most significant findings and concepts with discussion concerning management actions. Information in the report will help managers consider strategies to reduce sediments that are impairing stream corridors and shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. The report is available in PDF format at http://pa.water.usgs.gov/reports/wrir03-4123.pdf and a limited number of copies of the report are avialable on a CD ROM, which can be obtained by sending an email to shartsoe@usgs.gov.

More USGS reports on sediment can be found by visiting our Publications page and searching our references site.

Read the current overview of USGS studies related to sediment, water clarity, and SAV and find out who our partners are.

Recent articles in the Bay Journal about sediment:

Sediment goals set, aimed at SAV comeback
http://www.bayjournal.com/03-05/sediment.htm

Sediment Happens: What are we going to do about it?
http://www.bayjournal.com/02-07/soil.htm

No clear solutions for sediment build-up behind Susquehanna Dams
http://www.bayjournal.com/01-01/dams.htm

High flow, droughts, and Isabel: Impacts to the Bay

Impacts of High River Flow and Tropical Storm Isabel on the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed . (PDF) (10/9/2003)

Recent articles in the Bay Journal about high flows, Isabel, and droughts

November articles in the Bay Journal
Isabel's blow not as bruising to Bay
Monitoring reveals drought helped improve Bay's water quality

September articles in the Bay Journal
High flows hammer Bay's water quality

Visit the USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities Feature Archive