Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Sediment & Nutrient Pollution StoryMap

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission created its first-ever Stories in Water Data StoryMap to provide information about its Sediment and Nutrient Assessment Program (SNAP). 

The StoryMap was developed with Pennsylvania’s Countywide Water Quality Action Plan (CAP) audience in mind. 

Stories in Water Data describes the methods used by Chesapeake Bay Program partner agencies to measure streamflow and pollutant concentrations with scientific consistency – such measurements are a basic part of how pollution reduction targets for the Bay States are set.  

A key point in this StoryMap is demonstrating the fact that pollutant loads are mostly driven by streamflow. 

Every CAP team plays a crucial role to help implement the management actions that reduce nutrient pollutants to their local waterways and it’s well understood that the stakeholder community deserves to see evidence of their efforts and progress in terms of measurement data. 

Yet, in order to discern trends, water quality measurements need to account for streamflow and pollutant concentration variations over a long period of time. 

This StoryMap explains the complexity in interpreting water data and shows the audience where to explore their questions about water quality trends, waterway conditions, and how to get involved.

Click Here to visit the SRBC Sediment & Nutrient Pollution StoryMap.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

October Is Buffer Month!

Penn State Extension is joining the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, who declared October as Riparian Buffer Month, as an opportunity to build awareness and familiarity of forested riparian buffers while sharing the applicability of these sustainable practices in a variety of settings.  Read more here.

PA Chesapeake Bay Plan

For more information on Pennsylvania’s plan, visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office webpage.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

DEP’s Interactive Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.

(Reprinted from the latest DEP Healthy Waters newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Article:

-- Penn State Extension: Help Celebrate Riparian Buffer Month In October!

[Posted: September 27, 2021]  PA Environment Digest