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2008 Intensive Water Quality
Monitoring Summary

The Department of Natural Resources' Intensive Monitoring Assessment
and Development Program is responsible for maintaining a network of
statewide continuous monitors and monthly water quality mapping
cruises to assess ambient water quality throughout the State. These
data are used to assess water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen,
water clarity, and chlorophyll, and to determine if Maryland's
Chesapeake Bay segments can be removed from a list of impaired
waterways. Segments are generally assessed on a three-year rotation
cycle, unless funding from partners allows for continued support of
sentinel stations. Data are also used to determine habitat conditions
and restoration potential for underwater grasses, oysters and fish; the
impact from meteorological events; the extent of harmful algal blooms
and low dissolved oxygen; and the cause of fish kills.

Continuous monitors are usually located off of piers in shallow waters of two meters or less of total depth. Instruments are serviced at least every two weeks when calibration samples are also taken. Data are measured every 15-minutes, 24-hours each day. Water quality mapping conducts monthly cruises, measuring thousands of surface water quality points aboard a moving boat in order to create spatially intensive maps of water quality parameters. Calibration samples are taken at 5-8 locations during a cruise. Each monitoring program operates from April through October to coincide with the underwater grass growing season. Both programs take automated measurements of: dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, turbidity, pH, water temperature and salinity. Calibration samples include light attenuation, laboratory analyzed chlorophyll, sediments and nutrients.

In 2008, DNR will be conducting continuous monitoring at 52 sites which includes 2 new stations on the Honga River . The map below shows the monitoring plan for 2008. Data,
maps and water quality stories can be found on DNR's Eyes on the Bay website: (www.eyesonthebay.net).

Maryland DNR 2008 Tidal Monitoring Sites

Mitten Crab Alert

Live Chinese Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) have been caught in crab pots in Chesapeake Bay (2005-2007) and Delaware Bay (May 2007). These are the first confirmed reports for the eastern United States. To date, there have been seven crabs documented. We don’t yet know whether the crab has established reproductive populations in these estuaries or spread to other locations along the eastern U.S.

Image of mitten crab against a scale

The Mitten Crab is native to East Asia, and is a potential invasive that could have negative ecological impacts. Mitten Crabs are already established invaders in Europe and on the West Coast of the United States. The crab is listed as Injurious Wildlife under the Federal Lacey Act, which makes it illegal in the United States to import, export, or conduct interstate commerce of Mitten Crabs without a permit.

Get more information about the Chinese Mitten Crab.

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This page was updated on 4/29/2008.