10 Mar 2016

Final report released analyzing sediment and pollution flow impacts to Chesapeake Bay from Conowingo Dam

The final Lower Susquehanna River Watershed Assessment (LSRWA) report is now available. The draft report was released for public comment Nov. 13, 2014. The report concludes that following through on the blueprint to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries will have a much greater and longer-lasting effect on water quality than addressing the Conowingo Dam's reduced capacity to trap sediment. However, if the additional nutrient and sediment load impacts from the Conowingo Dam are not addressed, Bay water-quality standards will not be met by 2025 in three mid-Bay segments - even with full watershed implementation plan achievement.

13 Nov 2014

New report released for public comment analyzes sediment and pollution flow impacts to Chesapeake Bay from watershed, Conowingo Dam – names watershed-wide reduction strategies as key

The Lower Susquehanna River Watershed Assessment (LSRWA) draft report released for public comment, Nov. 13, 2014, indicates that the reservoir behind the Conowingo Dam is trapping smaller amounts of sediment and has essentially reached its limit to trap in the long term. However, a large majority of the pollution to the Chesapeake Bay from the Susquehanna River comes from runoff from pollution sources from the upstream drainage area or watershed, as opposed to the sediment and associated nutrients collected behind the dam. Public comment period is open until Jan. 9, 2015. A public meeting will be held Dec. 9, 2014, at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md.