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Data

The USGS collects multiple types of data in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Data Catalog contains a list and links of all the types of Chesapeake information from USGS. Some of the most relevant data related to streams and rivers is highlighted in the “tracking status and trends indicators of stream health”. Land cover, use, and change data are also highlighted.

Filter Total Items: 118

Great Blue Heron collection at Poplar Island Complex and Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex

In the fall of 2005, dead and dying great blue herons (Ardea herodias) exhibiting emaciation, lethargy, inability to fly and a hard abdomen (steatitis confirmed at necropsy) were observed at Poplar Island and nearby Coaches Island (Rattner et al. 2006). Birds were hand captured at or near impoundments (cells) and ponds that contained large algal blooms, and because of poor prognosis were euthanize

SPARROW model input datasets and predictions for predicting near-term effects of climate change on nitrogen transport to Chesapeake Bay

This data release includes 5 files containing model inputs and resulting model predictions. A previously-calibrated spatially referenced regression (SPARROW) model was used to estimate effects of climate change on in-stream nitrogen (TN) loads in the Chesapeake Bay watershed between 1995 and 2025. Model scenarios were run using data for nitrogen sources and landscape characteristics from 2012, cha

Fish community and species distribution predictions for streams and rivers of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

This data release contains predictions of selected fish community metrics and fish species occurrence using Random Forest models with landscape data for inland reaches across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). Predictions were made at four time intervals (2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016) according to changes in landcover using the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). The fish sampling data used to com

Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network 1985 - 2018: Daily High-Flow and Low-Flow Concentration and Load Estimates

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network (NTN) stations for the period 1985 through 2018. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression approach called WRTDS (Weighted Regres

Stream cross-section, benthic macroinvertebrate and fish taxa counts and abundance, and water chemistry data for the Clarksburg study area in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1992 - 2020

Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection has collected datasets to assess the health of streams since the early 1990s. Datasets include geomorphic stream cross-sectional surveys, fish and benthic macroinvertebrate counts and taxa abundance, and water chemistry data collected at the time of benthic and fish sampling (dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, air temperat

Nitrogen sources to and export from the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 1950 to 2050

This U.S. Geological Survey data release contains datasets that combine past data with future projections of nitrogen sources and nitrogen export to the Chesapeake Bay watershed for the years 1950-2050. To help understand the effect of human and environmental changes over this time period, data for nitrogen sources from wastewater, agricultural fertilizer and manure, and atmospheric deposition are

Estimates of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 1950-2050

Reactive nitrogen is transported from the atmosphere to the landscape as wet and dry deposition that contributes to annual nitrogen loads to the Chesapeake Bay. Estimates of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition to the Chesapeake Bay watershed during 1950 to 2050 are presented, and are based on field measurements, model simulations, statistical relations, and surrogate constituents used for es

Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay

This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides data on spatial variations in tidal datums, tidal range, and nuisance flooding in Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. Tidal datums are standard elevations that are defined based on average tidal water levels. Datums are used as references to measure local water levels and to delineate regions in coastal environments. Nuisance flooding refers to the sp

Modeled estimates of altered hydrologic metrics for all NHDPlus v21 reaches in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Data are modeled estimates of flow status (inclined, diminished, or indeterminant) for 12 published hydrologic metrics (HMs) that characterize main components of flow regimes (duration, frequency, magnitude, timing, and rate of change). Model estimates came from random forest models independently built for each HM that predict flow status category using drainage area and previously summarized upst

Inputs and Selected Predictions of a Differential Spatially Referenced Regression Model for 20-year Changes in Total Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The core equations of the SPARROW model (Schwarz and others, 2006) were implemented in differential form using the R programming language (R Core Team, 2017), as the basis of a tool for empirically relating a regional pattern of changes in constituent flux, over a multi-year period, to spatially referenced changes in explanatory variables over the same period. A pilot implementation was developed

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads and trends measured at the Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network stations: Water years 1985-2018 (ver. 2.0, May 2020)

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads, and changes in loads, in major rivers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been calculated using monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network (NTN) stations for the period 1985 through 2018. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads and changes in loads were determined by applying a weighted regression approach called WRTDS (Weighted

Inputs and Selected Outputs Used to Assess Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Streamflow, Water-Chemistry, and Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Selected Streams in Fairfax County, Virginia, 2007-2018

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and suspended-sediment (SS) loads, in Fairfax County, Virginia streams have been calculated using monitoring data from five intensively monitored watersheds for the period from water year (October - September) 2008-2017. Nutrient and suspended-sediment loads were computed using a surrogate (multiple-linear regression) approach with lab analyzed N, P, and SS samples as