Urban and rural stormwater runoff degrades Bay

When it rains, water flows over the land and into rivers and streams which drain into the Chesapeake Bay. As water moves across the surface of the land, it picks up sediment, nutrients, chemicals, along with other materials which then enter the Bay. These different kinds of pollutants impact the plants and animals that live in the Chesapeake Bay and can degrade the natural habitats the Bay provides. Urban runoff which includes pet waste, litter, material from street and roof surfaces, construction site debris, and combined stormwater/sewer overflows, affects water quality, particularly near the populated areas of the Western Shore of Chesapeake Bay. Rural runoff which includes unused fertilizer, animal waste, and agricultural soil also affects water quality, particularly near the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay.

Annual Precipitation