The Potomac River has earned its highest grade ever!
In a dramatic turnaround for our region's drinking water source, the Potomac's health has improved from an abysmal D to a B in just ten years.
For the first time in generations, we are within reach of enjoying a healthy, thriving Potomac River. A river clean enough for anglers to eat their catch and safe enough for children to wade in. A river that supports verdant forests and abundant wildlife. Simply put, a river our hometown can take pride in.
It's taken decades of hard work to strengthen water protections and undo the damage wrought by reckless polluters. We're at a critical tipping point and there's more work to be done.
Polluted runoff, rapid deforestation, and new attacks on water protections threaten to return dangerous pollution to local waters.
We've come too far to let progress go to waste!
The Potomac's journey to an "A" will not be easy, but it's worth fighting for because we all deserve a healthy river and clean water.
Learn more about what's going right and wrong with the Potomac, and how you can help.
We've graded five primary river health indicators using the system below:
80%-100%
60%-79%
40%-59%
20%-39%
0%-19%
No Score
pollution
pollution
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sediment
Bacteria
fish
fish
American Shad
Striped Bass
White Perch
Smallmouth Bass
Blue and
Flathead Catfish
Northern
Snakehead
habitat
habitat
Tidal Water
Quality
Underwater Grasses
Forested Buffers
Stream (Non-Tidal)
Water Quality
Bald Eagles
Dolphins
land
land
Urban-Suburban
Land Use
Improvements
Rural Land Use
Improvements
Protected Lands
Current Land Use
people
people
Public Access
Points
Sport Fishing
Licenses
Outdoor Recreation
Park Visitation
that’s right! dolphins!
Did you know the Potomac River is home to
bottlenose dolphins? One report from the
1880s claims there were dolphins as far
north as Georgetown. A new research study
by a Georgetown University professor is
hoping to shed more light on this elusive
river critter.
good news!
decades of hard work are paying off!
Top river pollutants - nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment - continue their long-term declines
American shad, bald eagles, and other native wildlife are returning to local waters
The protection of our forests and farmlands is increasing
The river’s popularity is reaching new highs with greater access and activities for the public
bad news!
our work isn't done yet!
Polluted runoff continues to increase and is the fastest growing source of pollution in the river
Invasive and predatory blue and flathead catfish are quickly consuming local waters, threatening native fish
Underwater grasses and water quality have been slow to recover
Tree plantings along vulnerable streams and creeks have declined, slowing the Potomac's recovery
trouble under the water
Invasive blue catfish can live up to 30 years,
grow in excess of 100 pounds, and are
opportunistic eaters that devour vegetation
and other fishes. Their increasing populations
could spell trouble for native fish.
around the bend
will all of our progress slip away?
We’re at a crucial turning point in our journey to clean water. A swimmable and fishable Potomac is within reach, but major obstacles stand in the way of progress…
runaway runoff
We’re experiencing a dangerous rise in polluted
runoff in the Potomac River. Driven by sprawl
and deforestation, polluted stormwater is degrading
water quality, damaging fishing grounds, and
exposing the public to dangerous bacteria and toxins.
rapid deforestation
Trees are disappearing at an alarming rate - 70
acres per day in the Chesapeake Bay region. The
protection of upstream forests and the expansion
of riverside tree plantings is critical to restoring
clean water to the Potomac River.
federal rollbacks
The Potomac River is under threat from federal
actions that undermine our clean water progress.
This disturbing trend includes consistent budget
threats to decrease funding for the Chesapeake
Bay Program, regulatory agencies declining to
enforce our clean water laws, and the Trump
administration rolling back rules and protections
in favor of more pollution from agricultural and
industrial sources.
volunteer and help
protect the potomac!
Take action and get your hands dirty for clean water with Team Potomac! Volunteer at an upcoming cleanup and remove harmful litter from a local park along the Potomac River. You'll join thousands of your neighbors who are making a difference in their community!
River Health Indicator:
Pollution impairs the health of the Potomac River and the lands and waters draining into it. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment are the top pollutants harming aquatic life, degrading habitat, and making local waterways unsafe. Other threats, such as harmful bacteria and toxins, could pose challenges as they aren’t regulated or enforced under the federally-led Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen levels in the Potomac continue to improve in the long term (since 1985) and in the short term (since 2006), but not all sources of nitrogen are decreasing…
Phosphorus
Phosphorus levels in the Potomac continue to improve in the long term (since 1985) and in the short term (since 2006), but not all sources of phosphorus are decreasing…
Sediment
Sediment levels in the Potomac continue to improve in the long term (since 1985) and in the short term (since 2006), but not all sources of sediment are decreasing…
Bacteria
Bacteria is not included in the pollution reduction targets for the Chesapeake Bay, but is often related to excess nutrient and sediment pollution…
RIVER HEALTH INDICATOR:
Conservation and habitat restoration efforts continue reversing decades of declining fish populations in the Potomac River, which now supports healthy communities of American shad, striped bass (rockfish), and white perch. Non-native fish species, like blue catfish, present threats to the river’s ecosystem.
American Shad
Shad are once again thriving in the Potomac and, since 2011, their populations continue surpassing restoration goals, but the exact causes aren’t entirely clear…
Striped Bass
The long-term population trend continues to increase for striped bass, despite recent declines…
White Perch
The abundance of juvenile white perch in the Potomac continues to increase, despite an observed drop in their juvenile populations in 2016…
Smallmouth Bass
An unusually wet month of May in 2016 is thought to be a primary driver of the observed sharp decline in juvenile smallmouth bass…
Blue and Flathead Catfish
The growing presence of catfish, opportunistic eaters that devour mussels, vegetation, and other fish, likely spells trouble for the river’s ecosystem…
Northern Snakehead
Since 2002, the population of snakeheads has increased, expanding to multiple tributaries in Maryland and Virginia, including upstream of Great Falls…
RIVER HEALTH INDICATOR:
Healthy tidal water quality and underwater grasses support some of the most productive aquatic ecosystems. Streamside forests help absorb nutrients, capture sediment in runoff, and stabilize riverbanks. Healthy stream water quality supports migrating fish, amphibians, and insects, while providing the necessary sources of freshwater to keep the Potomac River flowing. The successful bald eagle comeback is evidence the Potomac is making progress.
Tidal Water Quality
Despite a decline in 2016, tidal water quality in the Potomac has improved over the past few years…
Underwater Grasses
Underwater grasses are sensitive to pollution and extreme storm events, but can quickly recover with water quality improvements…
Forested Buffers
Across the Chesapeake Bay region, forest restoration programs are falling short of planting goals and 2015 was the worst planting total in the past 16 years…
Stream Water Quality
The freshwater streams and creeks that flow through our forests, farms, and cities, are in poor health…
Bald Eagles
Bald eagles, one of the most iconic bird species in the Chesapeake Bay and our national symbol, were nearly exterminated during the 1970s…
Dolphins
The Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay are home to populations of bottlenose dolphins…
RIVER HEALTH INDICATOR:
Everything that happens on the land surrounding the Potomac River affects its water quality. Land use improvements in urban, suburban, and rural areas in combination with long-term, common-sense planning can help communities grow and protect our natural resources at the same time. Natural lands that are protected from development help maintain water quality throughout the region and support clean drinking water for over 5 million people who depend on the Potomac.
Urban-suburban Land Use Improvements
The health of the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay rests on the ability of our counties, cities, and towns to protect local waters and embrace river friendly development…
Rural Land Use Improvements
The use of best management practices in rural areas and on farmlands is slowly reducing the amount of nutrient pollutants entering the Potomac, but more work is needed…
Protected Lands
Land conservation programs are important to protect habitat and water quality; protecting land is a long-term investment in the health of the Potomac…
Current Land Use
Responsible, long-term planning promotes economic growth and avoids sprawl’s needless destruction to the health of our lands, waterways, drinking water sources, and our quality of life…
RIVER HEALTH INDICATOR:
The health of our communities is directly tied to the health of the Potomac River and our local lands and streams. In 2016, additional public access points were created and outdoor recreation participation increased, but sport fishing license purchases declined. While park visitation continues to increase, there’s no data available to understand if this visitation is resulting in increased river stewardship or awareness.
Public Access Points
The Potomac region is full of historic landmarks, unique natural features, and exhilarating outdoor adventure spots…
Sport Fishing Licenses
The Potomac continues to be a valuable resource for commercial and recreational fishing; as water quality conditions improve, positive fisheries trends should follow…
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor activity participation strengthens connections with the river, promotes a healthy lifestyle, builds relationships, and generates income for communities…
Park Visitation
The Potomac region has wonderful national and state parks, including several that directly access the river…
