"Researchers from the Chesapeake Bay Program, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, University of Michigan and U.S. Geological Survey announced today that they are predicting this year’s Chesapeake Bay dead zone to be just above the long-term average taken between 1985 and 2023, despite above-average rainfall in spring 2024 that led to relatively high water flows entering the Bay from around the watershed. Experts also noted that the dead zone likely began earlier this year due to warmer-than-normal temperatures throughout the spring as well as weaker winds."

"The accuracy of the forecasting is supported by our growing scientific understanding of how the Bay works. The long-term water quality monitoring program continues to provide high-quality data used to inform targeting of management actions, improve our models and effectively inform assessments of management progress showing the Bay’s responsiveness to nutrient management actions."

—Dr. Peter Tango, Monitoring Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey at the Chesapeake Bay Program