    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                          BS.,aft Report

                         Distribution of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in

                  the Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries and Chincoteague Bay - 1989

                                               by

                                Robert J. Orth and Judith F. Nowak

                               Virginia Institute of Marine Science
                                     School of Marine Science
                                   College of William and Mary
                                   Gloucester Point, VA 23062

           Funded by:  Maryland Department of Natural Resources
                       Virginia Institute of Marine Science
                       U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Grant X-003465-01-0,-1)
                       Allied-Signal Inc.
                       National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration
                             (Grant No. NA88AA-D-CZ-091 and C188-90-002)

           Draft Report Submitted to:   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                              Chesapeake Bay Program
                                              Annapolis, MD 21403
                                              March, 1990

                                        U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOA A
                                        COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
                                        2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
                                        CHARLESTON, SC 29405-241

    QK
    122.8
    .078
     1989

                                     CONTENTS

    *    ~~Tables................................ IV

          Figures...............................                                 V
          Executive Summary...........................VII

          Acknowledgements ...........................XIII

    *    ~~1. Introduction...........................                               1

          2. SAV Species............................3
    I    ~~3. Methods..............................4
                Introduction .........................4
                Aerial photography ......................4
                Mapping process........................9
                SAV perimeter digitization and area calculation........13
                Tests of precision and accuracy................16
                Calculation of SAV bed mean area ...............17
                 Standard operating procedures.................17
                Conversion of SAV Perimeter Points to Latitude & Longitude..    18
                Organizational provinces for analysis.............20
     *             ~~~~Ground truth and other data bases...............25

          4. Results..............................29
                Data presentation.......................29
     I            ~~~~Discussion ..........................47
                Susquehanna Flats (Section 1).................49
                Upper Eastern Shore (Section 2)................51
                Upper Western Shore (Section 3)................53
     I            ~~~~Chester River (Section 4)...................53
                Central Western Shore (Section 5)...............56
                Eastern Bay (Section 6)....................56
     I            ~~~~Choptank River (Section 7) ..................59
                Patuxent River (Section 8) ..................61
                Middle Western Shore (Section 9) ...............61
                Lower Potomac River (Section 10) ...............64
     U            ~~~~Upper Potomac River (Section 11) ...............66
                Middle Eastern Shore (Section 12)...............68
                Mid-Bay Island Complex (Section 13)..............70
     I            ~~~~Lower Eastern Shore (Section 14) ...............72
                Reedville (Section 15) ....................74
                Rappahannock River Complex (Section 16)............74
                New Point Comfort Region (Section 17).............77
     I           ~~~~Mobjack Bay Complex (Section 18) ...............79
                York River (Section 19)....................79
                Lower Western Shore (Section 20) ...............82
     I            ~~~~James River (Section 21) ...................84
                Chincoteague Bay .......................86

          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II

                                    CONTENTS (CONTINUED)            Pg

            5. Literature Cited .........................88

    *       ~~6. Appendices............................

                 A. Species of submerged aquatic plants found in the
                    Chesapeake Bay and tributaries...............

                 B. Latitude and longitude coordinate points defining
                    the 21 major sections of the Chesapeake Bay
                    SAV study area and Chincoteague Bay ............

                 C. Topographic quadrangles showing distribution,
                    abundance, and ground truthing of SAV in 1989.......

                 D.  SAV bed areas for each topographic quadrangle in 1989...

                                          TABLES

    I        ~~Number                                                                 Page

              I Guidelines for acquisition of aerial photographs .....7

              2      List of topographic quadrangles in Chesapeake Bay and
                     Chincoteague Bay SAV study areas and corresponding
      *                ~~~~~code numbers .......................11

              3      Area description for 21 major sections in the Chesapeake
                     Bay SAV study area ....................23
    I       ~~~4 Total area of SAV by quadrangles for 1989..........30

              5      Number of hectares of SAV for each of the major sections
      I               ~~~~~in the bay for 1989....................37
              6      Number of square meters of SAV in each quadrangle of the
                     21 major sections for 1989 ................38

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~IV

                                     FIGURES

    Number                                                                   Page

      1      Map of Chesapeake Bay and tributaries with locations of
              all SAV beds in 1989 .................................... VIII

      2      Total hectares SAV for the upper, middle, and lower zones
               of the Chesapeake Bay in 1989 ...............................IX

      3   Total hectares SAV in 1989 by section ...........................X

      4      Approximate location of flight lines where SAV photo-
              graphy was acquired in 1989 .............................6

      5      Location of topographic quadrangles in the Chesapeake Bay
              and tributaries and Chincoteague Bay for determining
              distribution of SAV ..................................... 10

      6      Crown density scale used for determining density of SAV beds:
              very sparse (1), 0-10%; sparse (2), 10-40%; moderate (3),
              40-70%; dense (4), 70-100% ............................... 14

      7      Location of upper, middle and lower zones of the Chesapeake
              Bay and the 21 major sections used for delineation of SAV
              distribution patterns (see Table 3 and text and Appendix B
               for exact boundaries) ........................................22

      8      Distribution of SAV in Susquehanna Flats section ............ 50

      9      Distribution of SAV in Upper Eastern Shore section .......... 52

     10      Distribution of SAV in Upper Western Shore section .......... 54

     11   Distribution of SAV in Chester River section ................ 55

     12      Distribution of SAV in Central Western Shore section ........ 57

     13   Distribution of SAV in Eastern Bay section .................. 58

    14   Distribution of SAV in Choptank River section ............... 60

     15   Distribution of SAV in Patuxent River section ............... 62

     16      Distribution of SAV in Middle Western Shore section ......... 63

     17      Distribution of SAV in Lower Potomac River section .......... 65

     18      Distribution of SAV in Upper Potomac River section .......... 67

                                        V

                                      FIGURES (continued)

    I        ~~~Number                                                                 Page

    3        ~~~19    Distribution of SAV in Middle Eastern Shore section......69

             20      Distribution of SAV? in Mid-Bay Island Complex section.....71

    I        ~~~21    Distribution of SAV? in Lower Eastern Shore section ......73

             22   Distribution of SAV in Reedville section ...........75

    1        ~~~23    Distribution of SAV in Rappahannock River Complex section   ..76

             24      Distribution of SAV? in New Point Comfort section .......78

             25      Distribution of SAV? in Mobjack Bay Complex section ......80

             26      Distribution of SAV? in York River section...........81

             27      Distribution of SAV? in Lower Western Shore section ......83

             28      Distribution of SAN? in James River section ..........85

             29   Distribution of SAN? in Chincoteague Bay............87

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I

                                 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

         The distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation during 1989 in the

    Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and Chincoteague Bay, was mapped at a scale

    of 1:24,000 using black and white aerial photography. SAV bed perimeter

    information was digitized and stored in a computerized data base. Ground

    truth information was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey, the U. S.

    Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Maryland Horn Point Laboratory,

    Harford Community College and the College of William and Mary's Virginia

    Institute of Marine Science/School of Marine Science. Citizen support via

    the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Chesapeake Bay Foundation, as well

    as the Maryland Charterboat Association via the Maryland DNR Watermen's

    Assistance Program, provided additional ground truth information.

         In 1989, the Chesapeake Bay had 24.412 hectares of SAV, compared to

    20,119 hectares in 1987, with 2,457 (10%), 11,544 (47%) and 10,411 (43%)

    hectares occurring in the Upper, Middle and Lower Bay zones, respectively

    (Figs. 1 and 2). Seventy-two percent of the SAV is concentrated in the bay

    from Barren Island-Honga River to the bay mouth, exclusive of the Potomac

    River (Fig. 3). Forty-nine percent (11,949 hectares) of the SAV was present

    along the eastern shore (sections 12, 13, and 14) from the Barren Island-

    Honga River area to just below Cape Charles (Fig. 3)

         In the Upper Bay zone 79% of the SAV was located in the Susquehanna

    Flats section (1945 hectares). Nine species of SAV were documented by

    ground truth surveys in this section, with Mvrioohvllum spicatum being the

    dominant species. Hydrilla verticillata was found in the Flats but occurred

    in small isolated beds. In addition to the reduced overall abundance of SAV

    from 1987, beds were generally much less dense, with 95% of all SAV beds

                                       VII

                             I  3940  I5 IUSQUEHANNA R
                   CHESAPEAKE
                         BAY

     3910.0 -                                   4-PATAP5CO
                                                           CHE TER R

    384000                                                         -

    3810.0-

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    3740 0-

                          I
    3710.                0 --

            0             0             0              0             0

            N             O              o             o             Uo
            ;             c;             o             o             on

           Figure  1.  Map of Chesapeake Bay and tributaries with
                         locations of all SAV beds in 1989.

                                       VIII

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    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~.   0I               %~  , S-.  . .   A..  ** -v ) 1- --   A    k J f A    f- A~t   f-  I- Iit  fm ..
                          e-,   TUU fi      ~-Li ITk AF.)U AiV iC       Av
                          4-Yi f I I I.- %-ef I L- 13j I"   L- /,#r\L L.)- t--A

                                       ---- I     CXXX)(XKJ  CXXXXXKJA-W-1

       I~~ ~~~~~~~~~PE 14O1L L NR~i   >>A

                Figue 2.Hecare fSV          i ach  r eg~Qin oftheCeaeke  Bay

         I                      -~~~~~~~~~~~I

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                              I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~11

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                       ___~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rA- p1 kq

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         -'~~~kA                      t&^tVd                 olBAI WA? tol UNtpt" WA     MWl~ tKI'l MAI
                       4CXN UCI  -    ~~rotx IAUAUA KK1 KXAf KX       .K XA X KWI VrJVKXA &KIC W$UW9
                        t~CA DO  t~'Cl    rn fl"        rose restV1 *lIV%( ra" rn~ rcil l~ rc I w'i  tlw n
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                        S  a  ..S  .7  54  A  US         S   4  Aa   4   4. J.4   *85   4* .1.   A"  tM-   LA-

                              Figure 3. Hectares of SAV in 1989 by section

              I~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    classified as very sparse, and no beds classified as dense (70-100%

    coverage).  In the Upper Eastern Shore section (307 hectares), SAV was

    located principally in the Elk and lower Sassafras Rivers, Swan, Stillpond,

    and Churn Creeks, with many of the same species as reported in the

    Susquehanna Flats section. In the Upper Western Shore section (38

    hectares), SAV was concentrated in Saltpeter and Seneca Creeks, with M.

    snicatum and Vallisneria americana being most abundant. In the Chester

    River section (167 hectares), SAV was most abundant adjacent to Eastern Neck

    and Eastern Neck Island and in the lower Chester River.  In this region

    Ruppia maritima was the most abundant of six species which were reported.

         In the Middle Bay Zone, 45% (5,196 hectares) of the SAV was found in

    the Mid-bay Island Complex, where Ruppia maritima and Zostera marina were

    present, in particular, the broad shoal area between Smith and Tangier

    Islands. Eighteen percent (2,035 hectares) of the SAV was present in the

    Middle Eastern Shore section, primarily in the Barren Island-Honga River

    area, the Big and Little Annemessex Rivers, and the lower section of the

    Manokin River, with R. maritima being the dominant species reported for this

    area.  Little or no SAV was mapped or reported from the Central Western

    Shore, Middle Western Shore, and Patuxent River sections.

         The Middle Bay zone also includes the entire Potomac River, where 2,614

    hectares of SAV were present in 1989. SAV was concentrated in two distinct

    zones: 1. the tidal freshwater region (the Upper Potomac River section with

    1998 hectares) where H. verticillata remained the numerically dominant

    species (eight other species were recorded from the USGS and citizen

    surveys); and 2. the region around the Rt. 301 bridge (the upper portion of

    the Lower Potomac River section with 616 hectares), including the Nanjemoy

    and Port Tobacco Creeks, with V. americana and M. spicatum being reported

                                        xi

    the most frequently reported species in this area. Although the total

    abundance of SAV in the upper section increased from 1987 (1,665 hectares),

    many of the very dense beds from the Woodrow Wilson bridge to just below

    Piscataway Creek declined. The decline was offset by the large increases in

    SAV from Quantico Creek to Aquia Creek, along both shores.

         SAV was abundant throughout the entire Lower Bay zone except for the

    James River. Forty-five percent of SAV in the Lower Bay zone was found in

    the Lower Eastern Shore section, around the Fox Islands and the mouths of

    major creeks (i.e Cherrystone Inlet, Hungars Creek, Mattawoman Creek,

    Occahannock Creek, Craddock Creek, Pungoteague Creek and Onancock Creek).

    Along the western shore, SAV was abundant in'Mobjack Bay (15% of SAV in the

    Lower Bay zone), lower York River, Back River and Drum Island Flats area

    adjacent to Plum Tree Island. Both R. maritima and Z. marina were abundant

    throughout this zone. R. maritima continued to increase in abundance in

    both the Piankatank and Rappahannock Rivers. Z. marina is present in

    several sections resulting from previously successful transplant efforts.

         SAV in Chincoteague Bay was little changed in distribution from 1987,

    with 2,310 hectares reported in 1989.  All of the SAV consisted of R.

    maritima and Z. marina and was located along the eastern side of the bay

    behind Assateague Island.

                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

        We would like to gratefully acknowledge all federal and state agencies

    who financially supported this project: the Maryland Department of Natural

    Resources (Md.DNR); the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS); the

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F&WS); the U.S. Environmental Protection

    Agency (USEPA); and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric

    Administration (NOAA). Also, we thank Allied - Signal, Inc. for providing

    supplemental funding for this work.

         Acknowledgement would not be complete without commendation for the

    groups which provided ground truthing of SAV beds which was used in

    conjunction with interpretation of the 1989 photography.  USF&WS conducted a

    survey and, with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), also organized

    citizens to report locations and species composition of grassbeds around the

    bay. In addition, members of the Maryland Charterboat Association were

    funded by the Md.DNR to participate in the ground truthing program and

    contributed valuable information on location and species composition of SAV

    beds in Maryland waters. J. Court Stevenson, Bill Dennison, and Lori Staver

    of the University of Maryland, Horn Point Environmental Laboratory (HPEL),

    and Stan Kollar of Harford Community College (HCC) provided ground truth-

    information for certain specific regions of the Maryland portion of the Bay.

                                         XII

         Nancy Rybicki, R.T. Anderson and Virginia Carter of the U.S. Geological

    Survey (USGS) provided ground truth information from the Potomac River.  Ken

    Moore, Sheryl Robertson, Sharon Dewing, Gene Silberhorn, Curtis Harper and

    Betty Berry (VIMS) provided ground truth information for the lower bay.

         The production of this report required the dedication of numerous

    scientists, technicians, artists, photographers, and others. The following

    people deserve a note of thanks: Linda Hurley and Kathyrn Reshetiloff,

    US.F&WS; David Bleil, Md.DNR; Rich Batiuk and Rickie Price, USEPA-Chesapeake

    Bay Program (CBP); Margaret Podlich (CBF). We are especially grateful to

    the dedicated VIMS personnel who contributed greatly to the production of

    this report: Jan Hodges, Jennifer Whiting, and Audrey Warner and Leah Nagey

    for assistance in data collection and compilation; Pat Barthle for computer

    programming and computer graphics; Harold Burrell, Kay Stubblefield, Diane

    Bowers, Silvia Motley, and Billy Jenkins for graphic art work on the SAV

    maps reproduced in Appendix C, and for figure preparation, photography and

    printing; Ruth Hershner, Valise Jackson, and Janet Walker for word

    processing; Pat Hall and David Boughan for computer services. Leigh

    Medford, Photographic Services, Virginia Department of Transportation; Claud

    Summers, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Cartographic Information

    Center (NCIC), Mid-Continent Mapping Center; and Craig Breen, Engineering

    Media Inc., were helpful in the procurement of high quality topo maps and

    map copies. Air Photographics, Inc., conducted the aerial photographic

    missions and was responsible for the high quality photographs.

                                        XIV

            H                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~SECTION I

                                            INTRODUCTION

                  Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) continues to be one of the important

             living resources of the Chesapeake Bay receiving considerable attention by

    I        ~~bay scientists and managers.  The recent signing of an SAV management policy

             by the governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and the mayor of

             Washington, D. C., and the drafting of an SAV implementation plan, indicate

             the committment of the bay community to preserving, protecting, and

             enhancing these important systems.

                  Monitoring of this resource on an annual basis, one aspect supported by

             the policy, has revealed the dramatic changes occurring with SAV and has

             served to provide scientists and managers with a synoptic overview of the

             current abundance on  a baywide  basis.   SAV  communities  in  the  entire

    I        ~~Chesapeake  Bay and tributaries have been photographed, mapped and the areas

    I ~~of the beds digitized in 1978, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989 while

             portions of the upper bay were mapped and digitized in 1979 and the lower

             bay was mapped and digitized in 1980 and 1981 (Orth, et. al., 1979; Anderson

             and Macomber, 1980; Orth, et. al., 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989). Numerous

             SAV ground surveys have been conducted but most have been limited to

             specific  sections.   No  one  ground  survey  has  delineated  baywide  SAV

    I        ~~patterns.  Aerial photography has proved to be a useful  tool  in  examining

             SAV distribution patterns and, when combined with appropriate ground data,

             has provided an accurate, synoptic picture of baywide SAV distribution. The

             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I

    I
    I
               goal of the 1989 work was to continue the annual monitoring of SAV on a
    I baywide basis using aerial photographic methods with appropriate ground
               truth to substantiate presence or absence of SAV in particular sections.

    U
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    I                                                      2
    I

                                    SECTION 2

                                   SAV SPECIES

         Ten species of submerged aquatic vegetation are commonly found in the

    Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Zostera marina (eelgrass) is dominant

    in the lower reaches of the bay.   MvrioDhvllum  spicatum  (water  milfoil),

    Potamogeton pectinatus (sago pondweed), Potamogeton perfoliatus (redhead

    grass), Zannichellia  palustris  (horned  pondweed),  Vallisneria  americana

    (wild  celery),  Elodea  canadensis  (common elodea), CeratoDhvllum demersum

    (coontail) and Najas RuadaluDensis (southern naiad) are less tolerant of

    high salinities and are found in the middle and upper reaches of the bay

    (Stevenson and Confer, 1978; Orth et al., 1979; Orth and Moore, 1981, 1983).

    Ruppia maritima (widgeongrass) is tolerant of a wide range of salinities and

    is found from the bay mouth to the Susquehanna Flats. Approximately eleven

    other species are only occasionally found, and when present, occur primarily

    in the middle and upper reaches of the bay and the tidal rivers (Appendix

    A).   Hydrilla  verticillata (hydrilla), presently dominates SAV beds in the

    tidal freshwater reaches of the Potomac River, although it has declined in

    abundance  since  1987.   It  has  also  been  reported again in 1989 in the

    Susquehanna Flats where its growth has not been as widespread as in the

    Potomac River (Kollar, pers. comm.).

                                        3

                                    SECTION 3

                                     METHODS

    Introduction

         Black and white aerial photography at a scale of 1:24,000 was the

    principal source of information used to assess the distribution and

    abundance of SAV in the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and Chincoteague

    Bay in 1989.  SAV beds mapped from photographs onto United States Geological

    Survey  (USGS)  7.5  minute  topographic  quadrangles  were  then digitized,

    providing a digital data base for analysis of bed area and location. Ground

    truth information collected in 1989 was mapped onto the same topographic

    quadrangles.

    Aerial Photography

         The   1989   SAV   photography   was   obtained  by  Air  Photographics

    (Martinsburg, WV) using a Wild RC-20 camera, with a 153 mm  (6  inch)  focal

    length Aviogon lens, and Agfa Pan 200 film. The camera was mounted in the

    bottom  fuselage  of  Air  Photographics  Piper   Aztec,   a   twin   engine

    reconnaissance  aircraft.   Photography was acquired at approximately 12,000

    feet altitude, yielding a 1:24,000 photographic scale.

         Flight lines for photography were predetermined by Air Photographics

    (and approved by the Principal Investigators) to include all areas known to

    have SAV, as well as those areas which could potentially have SAV (i.e., all

    areas where water depths were less than 2 m at mean low water), as  well  as

    land features necessary as control points for accurate mapping (Fig. 4).

                                        4

             Flight lines were drawn on 1:250,000 scale USGS maps.

     I            ~~~Flight  lines  were  prioritized  by major sections and dates of flight

             windows for aerial photography were specified by the Principal Investigators

             by contract with Air Photographics. Acquisition of photography was timed to

             occur at peak standing crop of species known to occur in the  sections.   In

             addition, specific areas with significant coverage were given priority.

             Prior documentation and approval by the funding agencies was required to

             extend dates of flight windows if necessary. Actual dates of acquisition of

    I        ~~photography are noted on each quadrangle map in Appendix C.

     *            ~~~General guidelines for mission planning and execution (Table 1) address

             tidal  stage,  plant  growth,   sun   elevation,   water   and   atmospheric

             transparency, turbidity, wind, sensor operation, and plotting. Adherence to

             these guidelines assured acquisition of photography under nearly optimal

             conditions   for   detection   of   SAy,   thus   insuring   accurate  photo

             interpretation.

     I            ~~~Quality  assurance  and  calibration  procedures  are  as follows.  The

             altimeter was calibrated by the Federal Aviation Administration annually.

    I        ~~Photographic settings were selected with an automatic exposure control.  Sun

    I        ~~angle was measured with an  indicator  on  the  plane.   Flight  lines  were

             plotted on 1:250,000 scale maps to allow for overlap of photography. To

             minimize image degradation due to sun glint, the camera was equipped with a

             computer controlled intervalometer which established 60% line overlap and

             20% sidelap. An automatic bubble level held the camera to within one degree

             I                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5

                I, �~a

                I             SA 11

                        67

                                100

                Io1 I o6
                    ,,,oE~~~~,   '       "
                                      18
                    (36P~~jIY    I   nrn  L1 + C
              119~~~~~~/' L~,

    Figre4.  apof Cheapak Be7? an   rbtre  hapoxmt
               location of fligtJ lnsor18phtogrpy

            TABLE 1. GUIDELINES FOLLOWED DURING ACQUISITION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS.

            1. Tidal Stage - Photography was acquired at low tide, +/- 0-1.5 ft., as
    I          ~ ~~predicted by the National Ocean Survey tables.
            2. Plant Growth - Imagery was acquired when growth stages ensured maximum
    I          ~ ~~delineation of SAV, and when phenologic stage overlap was greatest.
            3. Sun Angle - Photography was acquired when surface reflection from sun
                glint  did  not  cover  more 0than  30  percent of frame.  Sun angle was
    I          ~ ~~~generally between 200 and 400 to minimize  water  surface  glitter.   At
                least 60 percent line overlap and 20 percent side lap was used to
                minimize image degradation due to sun glint.

            4. Turbidity - Photography was acquired when clarity of water ensured
                complete delineation of grass beds. This was visually determined from
                the airplane to insure that SAV could be seen by the observer.

            5.  Wind - Photography was acquired during periods of no or low wind.   Of f-
                shore winds were preferred over on-shore winds when wind conditions
    *           ~~~could not be avoided.
            6. Atmospherics - Photography was acquired during periods of no or low haze
                and/or clouds below aircraft. There could be no more than scattered or
                thin broken clouds, or thin overcast above aircraft, to ensure maximum
                SAV to bottom contrast.

            7. Sensor Operation - Photography was acquired in the vertical mode with
    I          ~ ~~less than 5 degrees tilt.  Scale/altitude/film/focal length  combination
                permitted resolution and identification of one square meter area of SAV
    *           ~~~~(surface).

            8. Plotting - Each flight line included sufficient identifiable land area
                to assure accurate plotting of grass beds.

            I                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7

             tilt.   The  scale/altitude/film/focal length combination was coordinated to

    I        ~~produce two foot resolution.  Wind  speed  was  monitored  hourly  from  the

             flight  service available in the region.  Under normal operating conditions,

             flights were usually conducted under wind speeds less than 10  mph.   (Above

             this, wind generated waves stir the bottom sediments which can easily

             obscure SAV beds in less than one hour.) Pilot experience determined what

             acceptable level of turbidity would insure complete delineation of SAV beds.

             At low tide the pilot should have been able to distinguish bottom features

    I        ~~such  as SAV or algae.  When turbid conditions prevailed photography did not

             commence. Cloud cover did not exceed 5% of the area covered by the camera

             frame. Determination of cloud cover was based on pilot experience. Records
             of this parameter were kept in a flight notebook. Every attempt was made to

             acquire photographs with no cloud cover below 12,000 feet. A thin haze

             layer above 12,000 feet was generally acceptable. Experience has shown that

             the optimal conditions given above generally occur two to three days

             following passage of a cold front when winds have shifted from north-

             northwest to south and moderated to less than 10 mph. Where possible, and

    I        ~~within the guidelines given for prioritizing and executing the  photography,

    *        ~~flights were planned to coincide with these atmospheric conditions.

                  Exposed film was processed by Air Photographics. A contact print was

             produced for each exposed frame. Each photograph was labeled with date of

             acquisition as well as flight line number. Film and photographs were stored

             under appropriate environmental conditions to prevent degradation of the

             product.

             I                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~8

    I        ~~Mapping Process

                  This study utilized USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle maps as a

             basis for mapping SAV beds from aerial photography, for digitizing the SAV

             beds, and for compiling SAV bed area measurements. Figure 5 gives locations

    *        ~~of topographic quadrangles in the study area which includes all regions with

             potential for SAV growth. Most quadrangles are sequentially numbered for

    I        ~~efficient  access  to  data.   The  name corresponding to each quadrangle in

    *        ~~Figure 5 is listed in Table 2.

                  Photo interpretation to identify and delineate SAV beds utilized all

             available information including knowledge of aquatic grass signatures on

             film, distribution of SAV in 1989 from aerial photography, 1989 ground truth

             information, and aerial site surveys. USGS published 7.5 minute topographic

             quadrangle masters (1:24,000 scale) printed by the Mid-continent Mapping

    I        ~~Center of the USGS on stable transparent  mylar  were  used  as  base  maps.

             Identical copies of these base maps were made at the same scale on stable

    I        ~~transparent mylar by the Virginia  Department  of  Highways  using  a  diazo

             process.   SAV  from the 1989 aerial photographs was mapped onto these diazo

             copies of USGS topographic quadrangles. Delineation of SAV bed boundaries

             onto the topgraphic quadrangle maps was facilitated by superimposing the

             photographic print with the appropriate mylar quadrangle on a light table.

             SAV boundaries were then traced directly onto the mylar quadrangle with a

             pencil. Where minor scale differences were evident between a photograph and

    I        ~~a quadrangle,  or  where  significant  shoreline  erosion  or accretion had

             occurred since USGS publication of a map, either a best fit was obtained or

             shoreline changes were noted on the quadrangle.

             I                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~9

                                        2A~~A7

                                      Ft A*i  M<'

                                  159   e  elk 37 39 ISO -A

    *~~~~~7    141s o 5 4  2

      *~~~~~~~~~ 76  112 *I>

                                               04  101

       I        8~~~~IZ5                 X     ~~~" 8

                              N  -    \    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~751

       I                   Bay, it~~~~~~J s trbtre09dCictegeBy

         I~~~

                              12~~~~~0

    TABLE 2.  LIST  OF  USGS  7.5 MINUTE QUADRANGLES IN CHESAPEAKE BAY AND
              CHINCOTEAGUE BAY SAV STUDY AREAS AND CORRESPONDING CODE
              NUMBERS  (SEE  FIG.  5  FOR  LOCATION OF QUADRANGLES.  THOSE
              TOPOGRAPHIC QUADRANGLES WITH SAV BEDS CAN BE FOUND IN
              APPENDIX C).

      1.  Conowingo Dam, Md.-Pa.           46.  Preston, Md.
      2.  Aberdeen, Md.                    47.  Quantico, Va.-Md.
      3.  Havre de Grace, Md.              48.  Indian Head, Va.-Md.
      4.  North East, Md.                  49.  Benedict, Md.
      5.  Elkton, Md.                      50.  Prince Frederick, Md.
      6.  White Marsh, Md.                 51.  Hudson, Md.
      7.  Edgewood, Md.                    52.  Church Creek, Md.
      8.  Perryman, Md.                    53.  Cambridge, Md.
      9.  Spesutie, Md.                    54.  East New Market, Md.
     10.  Earleville, Md.                  55.  Widewater, Va.-Md.
     11.  Cecilton, Md.                     56.  Nanjemoy, Md.
     12.  Baltimore East, Md.              57.  Mathias Point, Md.-Va.
    13.  Middle River, Md.                 58.  Popes Creek, Md.
     14.  Gunpowder Neck, Md.              59.  Mechanicsville, Md.
     15.  Hanesville, Md.                   60.  Broomes Island, Md.
     16.  Betterton, Md.                    61.  Cove Point, Md.
     17.  Galena, Md.                      62.  Taylors Island, Md.
     18.  Curtis Bay, Md.                  63.  Golden Hill, Md.
     19.  Sparrows Point, Md.              64.  Passapatanzy, Md.-Va.
     20.  Swan Point, Md.                   65.  King George, Va.-Md.
    21.  Rock Hall, Md.                    66.  Dahlgren, Va.-      Md.
     22.  Chestertown, Md.                 67.  Colonial Beach North, Md.-Va.
     23.  Round Bay, Md.                   68.  Rock Point, Md.
     24.  Gibson Island, Md.               69.  Leonardtown, Md.
     25.  Love Point, Md.                  70.  Hollywood, Md.
     26.  Langford Creek, Md.              71.  Solomons Island, Md.
     27.  Centreville, Md.                 72.  Barren Island, Md.
    28.  Washington West, Md.-D.C.-Va. 73.  Honga, Md.
     29.  Washington East, D.C.-Md.        74.  Wingate, Md.
     30.  South River, Md.                 75.  Nanticoke, Md.
    31.  Annapolis, Md.                    76.  Colonial Beach South, Va.-Md.
     32.  Kent Island, Md.                 77.  Stratford Hall, Va.-Md.
     33.  Queenstown, Md.                  78.  St. Clements Island, Va.-Md.
     34.  Alexandria, Va.-D.C.-Md.         79.  Piney Point, Md.-Va.
     35.  Deale, Md.                       80.  St. Marys City, Md.
     36.  Claiborne, Md.                   81.  Point No Point, Md.
     37.  St. Michaels, Md.                82.  Richland Point, Md.
    38.  Easton, Md.                       83.  Bloodsworth Island, Md.
     39.  Fort Belvoir, Va.-Md.            84.  Deal Island, Md.
     40.  Mt. Vernon, Md.-Va.               85.  Monie, Md.
     41.  Lower Marlboro, Md.               86.  Champlain, Va.
     42.  North Beach, Md.                 87.  Machodoc, Va.
     43.  Tilghman, Md.                     88.  Kinsale, Va.-Md.
     44.  Oxford, Md.                       89.  St. George Island, Va.-Md.
     45.  Trappe, Md.                       90.  Point Lookout, Md.

                                          11

                             TABLE 2. (continued)

     91.  Kedges Straits, Md.               134.  Cheriton, Va.
     92.  Terrapin Sand Point, Md.         135.  Savedge, Va.
     93.  Marion, Md.                      136.  Claremont, Va.
     94.  Mount Landing, Va.               137.  Surry, Va.
     95.  Tappahannock, Va.                138.  Hog Island, Va.
    96.  Lottsburg, Va.                    139.  Yorktown, Va.
     97.  Heathsville, Va.-Md.             140.  Poquoson West, Va.
     98.  Burgess, Va.-Md.                 141.  Poquoson East, Va.
     99.  Ewell, Md.-Va.                   142.  Elliotts Creek, Va.
    100.  Great Fox Island, Va.-Md.         143.  Townsend, Va.
    101.  Crisfield, Md.-Va.                144.  Bacons Castle, Va.
    102.  Saxis, Va.-Md.                    145.  Mulberry Island, Va.
    103.  Dunnsville, Va.                   146.  Newport News North, Va.
    104.  Morattico, Va.                    147.  Hampton, Va.
    105.  Lively, Va.                       148.  Benns Church, Va.
    106.  Reedville, Va.                    149.  Newport News South, Va.
    107.  Tangier Island, Va.               150.  Norfolk North, Va.
    108.  Chesconessex, Va.                 151.  Little Creek, Va.
    109.  Parksley, Va.                     152.  Cape Henry, Va.
    110.  Urbanna, Va.                      153.  Chuckatuck, Va.
    111.  Irvington, Va.                    154.  Bowers Hill, Va.
    112.  Fleets Bay, Va.                   155.  Norfolk South, Va.
    113.  Nandua Creek                      156.  Kempsville, Va.
    114.  Pungoteague, Va.                  157.  Princess Anne, Va.
    115.  West Point, Va.                   158.  Wye Mills, Md.
    116.  Saluda, Va.                       159.  Bristol, Md.
    117.  Wilton, Va.                       160.  Fowling Creek, Md.
    118.  Deltaville, Va.                   161.  Port Tobacco, Md.
    119.  Jamesville, Va.                   162.  Charlotte Hall, Md.
    120.  Toano, Va.                        163.  Mardela Springs, Md.
    121.  Gressitt, Va.                     164.  Wetipquin, Md.
    122.  Ware Neck, Va.                    165.  Selbyville, Md.
    123.  Mathews, Va.                      166.  Assawoman Bay, Md.
    124.  Franktown, Va.                    167.  Berlin, Md
    125.  Westover, Va.                     168.  Ocean City, Md.
    126.  Charles City, Va.                 169.  Public Landing, Md.
    127.  Brandon, Va.                      170.  Tingles Island, Md.
    128.  Norge, Va.                        171.  Girdle Tree, Md.-Va.
    129.  Williamsburg, Va.                 172.  Boxiron, Md.-Va.
    130.  Clay Bank, Va.                    173.  Whittington Point, Md.-Va.
    131.  Achilles, Va.                     174.  Chincoteague West, Va.
    132.  New Point Comfort, Va.            175.  Chincoteague East, Va.
    133.  Cape Charles, Va.                 176.  Anacostia, D.C.-Md.

                                           12

         In addition to delineating SAV bed boundaries, an estimate of percent

    cover within each bed was made visually in comparison with an enlarged Crown

    Density Scale similar to those developed for estimating of forest tree crown

    cover from aerial photography (Fig. 6). Bed density was classified into one

    of  four categories based on a subjective comparison with the density scale.

    These were:  1, very sparse (<10% coverage);  2, sparse  (10  to  40%);   3,

    moderate (40 to 70%); or 4, dense (70-100%). Either the entire bed or

    subsections within the bed were assigned a number (1 to 4) corresponding to

    the  above density categories.  Additionally, each distinct SAV unit (bed or

    bed subsection) was assigned an identifying two letter designation unique to

    its  map.   Subsections  of  beds were further identified as being part of a

    contiguous bed by the addition of two letters unique to each contiguous bed.

    These contiguous bed descriptions aid in the tracking of a single bed

    between quad sheets as well as the analysis of those beds  that  had  to  be

    separated due to variation in SAV density.

    SAV Perimeter Digitization and Area Calculation

         The perimeters of all SAV beds mapped from the aerial photography were

    digitized in a clockwise direction using a Numonics Model 2400/2200

    DigiTablet Graphics Analysis System having a resolution of .001 inches

    (.00254 cm) and an accuracy of .005 inches  (.0127  cm).   Coordinates  were

    transmitted  to  a  PRIME  9955  computer  for  area  calculations  and data

    manipulation via software developed at VIMS. Each SAV bed was digitized at

    least four times and the area reported as a mean of three.

                                       13

                      25                           10-40

                       35               o

                      450 Fi g

                      55 0          i                 40-70

                      65F l                    13

                      I75f

                      85     U,,                       70-100

                     PERCENT ROWN COVER

    Figure 6. Crown density scale used for determining density of SAV beds:
               (1) Very sparse, 0-10%; (2) Sparse, 10-40%;
               (3) Moderate, 40-70%; (4) Dense, 70-100%.

                                   14

    The perimeter of each SAV bed was defined by a polygon with a linear data

    point density of 127 per chart inch (50 per cm, 5 meter ground  resolution).

    The total number of points defining any SAV bed is dependent on overall bed

    size. The SAV bed perimeter was stored as X and Y coordinates in

    centimeters from the quadrangle origin (lower left corner).

        Any 'island' within a polygon (digitized SAV perimeter) was disregarded

    as long as a line was drawn from the outside of the polygon to the 'island'

    and the resulting polygon was digitized in a clockwise direction. The line

    connecting  the 'island' polygon to the larger surrounding polygon was drawn

    in by the digitizer operator.

         SAV bed area in square centimeters on the chart was calculated via the

    following equation:

    A = 1/2    (Xi* Y2 -X2* Y1) + (X2* Y3 - X3* Y2) + '.. + (Xn*Y1 i- X* Yn)

    where Xn and Yn are the nth digitized perimeter points in centimeters.   The

    area is then converted from square centimeters on the chart to square meters

    on the ground.  This is done via the following conversion based on  a  chart

    scale of 1:24000:

    Ag(m2on ground) = Ac(cm2on chart) * 57600 (m2on ground / cm2on chart)

    where A  is the area on the ground of each SAV bed and A  is the area on the

    chart. The area on the ground is then stored for later use.

                                        15

             Tests of Precision and Accuracy

                  Prior to each digitization session, the Numonics instrument was checked

             manually against a digitizing standard. After a map had been secured to the

             digitizing tablet, the standard was secured to the map and digitized four

             times.   The information from digitizing the standard was transmitted to the

             beginning of the SAV bed Perimeter File on the PRIME  computer.   This  same

             procedure was followed at the end of each digitizing session. When this

    I        ~~file was processed by the computer, the digitized area of each standard  was

             compared to the known area of the standard. If a variation between the

             known and the mean of the observed areas exceeded 1.0% a warning was printed

             advising the operator to check the digitizing system. In addition, checks

             were made with respect to the absolute location of the digitizing standard

             as secured to the map. A comparison was made between the location of the

             standard before and after the digitizing session. If the absolute location

             differed by more then 0.10 cm another warning to check the system was

             printed. Any movement in absolute location can be indicative of digitizer

    I        ~~instrument  drift  or chart movement during the digitization session.  These

    *        ~~checks assure that the final calculated bed locations  are  as  accurate  as

             possible.

     *            ~~~Maximum accuracy was maintained by exclusively using mylar  topographic

             quadrangles rather than paper ones which can change scale as a function of

    * ~~changes in air temperature and humidity in the digitizer room.

             I                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~16

             Calculation of SAV Bed Mean Area and Choice of Representative SAV Bed

                  Every SAV bed mean area was the result of at least four independent

             digitizations of the outline of each SAV bed. The computer made an area

    *        ~~calculation of each replication and the 3 bed outlines  or  perimeters  most

             similar in terms of area were then used for the calculation of a mean area.

    *        ~~The perimeter defining the area most similar  to  the  mean  area  was  then

             saved by the computer program as the representative perimeter for this

    I        ~~specific SAV bed.  Representative perimeters for  all  1989  SAV  beds  were

             later converted to Latitude and Longitude and a copy of each on computer

             tape was then cent to the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program. The areas used in the

             mean area calculation do not by contract requirements have a range in excess

             of 5% of the mean area. All bed areas having an error rate in excess of 5%

             are flagged by the VIMS quality assurance quality control computer program

             for additional error assesment. In fact, the VIMS error rate is normally

    *        ~~less than 1%.

                  A complete outline of the digitization procedure can be found in the

    I        ~~quality  assurance  project  plan for the 1989 submerged aquatic vegetation,

             distribution and abundance survey of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays

             (available from the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office).

             Standard Operating Procedures for Quality Assurance/Quality Control

                 Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were developed to facilitate

    I        ~~orderly and efficient processing of the  1989  SAV  maps  and  the  SAV  bed

             perimeter computer files produced from them, and to comply with the need for

             consistency, quality assurance and quality control. SONs developed include:

             I                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~17

             a detailed procedure outlining 46 steps for digitization of SAV maps; a 47

    I        ~~step  checklist  for  editing  SAV  perimeter  computer  files   to   insure

             completeness and accuracy; a digitizer log in which all operations were

             recorded and dated, and which was used to guide and record editing

             operations; and a flow chart used to track progress of all operations

             including all changes in file names. Examples of these SOPs are in the

             quality assurance project plan for the 1987 submerged aquatic vegetation,

             distribution and abundance survey of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays.

             Conversion of SAV Perimeter Points from X,Y Centimeters to Latitude and

    I        ~~Longitude

                 Before SAV perimeter information was to be exported to the EPA Bay

             Program, the perimeter points had to be converted from X,Y centimeters to

             the more generally applicable latitude and longitude. This is done via a

    *        ~~three step two dimensional linear  interpolation  between  the  four  corner

            points of every quadrangle. At the start of digitization of every chart,

    I        ~~the location of each corner point in X,Y cm and in latitude and longitude is

             recorded at the head of the data file. The corners are numbered:

                 I = lower left corner or chart origin

     *~~~~ 2= upper left corner

                 3 = upper right corner

     *~~~~ 4= lower right corner

     I            ~~~These corner points are  then  used  to  convert  each  individual  X,Y

            perimeter point to latitude and longitude. If additional files are needed

             I                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~18

    for a given chart, a new set of corner points are digitized and stored at

    the head of these files.

        The steps for the conversion of from X,Y cm to lat. and long. are:

        1.  Transpose   each   X,Y  perimeter  point  from  the  original,  non

             orthogonal (not at right angles) chart axes defined by the

             original  four corner points to a new set of orthogonal chart axes

             and defined by a new set of four corner points.

        2. Calculate centimeter to lat. and long. linear conversion factors

             from the transposed chart corner points via:

                XCONV = 0.125 (XCORNERPOINT(4) - XCORNERPOINT(1))

                YCONV = 0.125 / (YCORNERPOINT(2) - YCORNERPOINT(1))

            Where : XCONV is the X cm to lat,lon conversion factor.

                    YCONV is the Y cm to lat,lon conversion factor.

                    0.125  is  a  constant representing the distance in decimal

                     degrees latitude  or  longitude  between  each  successive

                     chart corner point.

                    XCORNERPOINT(#) is the X value in centimeters of the

                     numbered chart corner point.

                    YCORNERPOINT(#) is the Y value in centimeters of the

                     numbered chart corner point.

        3. Perform linear conversions from orthogonal X,Y cm perimeter point

             to latitude and longitude via the following equations:

                                       19

                YLAT = YCHART(1) + (YPORTH * YCONV)

                XLON = XCHART(1) - (XPORTH * XCONV)

            WHERE : YLAT is the new Y point in decimal degrees latitude.

                    XLON is the new X point in decimal degrees longitude.

                    YCHART(#) is the latitude of the chart corner point.

                    XCHART(#) is the longitude of the chart corner point.

                    YPORTH is the Y perimeter point in cm from the orthogonal

                     chart coordinate system.

                    XPORTH is the X perimeter point in cm from the orthogonal

                     chart coordinate system.

         These new Lat,Lon perimeter points are then stored in a special EPA

    submission file for VIMS SAV Data. The submission file structure is fully

    documented in the VIMS 1987 QA project plan.

    Organizational Provinces for Analysis and Discussion

         Discussion of the distribution of SAV in the Chesapeake Bay and

    tributaries has been organized into three zones as established by Orth and

    Moore (1982). The area between the mouth of the bay to a line stretching

    from the mouth of the Potomac River at Smith Point in Virginia to

    approximately 3 nautical miles south of Tangier Island then extending to the

    eastern side of the bay to an area just south of the mouth of the Little

    Annemessex  River  is  referred  to  as  the  Lower  Bay  zone   (Fig.   7).

        The area between the south shore of the Little Annemessex River and the

    south shore of the Potomac River to the Chesapeake Bay bridge at Kent Island

                                       20

    is referred to as the Middle Bay zone. The area between the Chesapeake Bay

    bridge and the Susquehanna Flats is referred to as the Upper Bay zone.   The

    salinity within each zone roughly coincides with the major salinity zones of

    estuaries:   polyhaline  (18-25�/oo),  Lower  zone;  mesohaline  (5-18�/oo),

    Middle zone; oligohaline (0.5-5 /oo), Upper zone.  Although the major rivers

    and smaller tributaries of the bay have their own salinity regimes, the

    distribution of SAV in each river is discussed within the zone where it

    connects to the bay proper.

         In  addition,  21  major  sections  of  the bay are identified for more

    detailed discussion of SAV distribution (Fig. 7, Table 3). These sections,

    which were first delineated for the 1984 survey (Orth, et. al, 1985) and

    had been slightly modified for the 1987 survey, denote relatively distinct

    parts of the bay and its tributaries that are readily identifiable from a

    map. The section boundaries used for analysis and discussion of the 1989

    SAV distribution and abundance data are those used for the 1987 report.

    Sections 1 through 4 are located in the Upper Bay zone.  Sections 5  through

    13 are located in the Middle Bay zone, and sections 14 through 21 are

    located in the Lower Bay zone.  Appendix B gives the latitude and  longitude

    of  the  boundary  points of each Chesapeake Bay section in decimal degrees.

    SAV distribution in Chincoteague Bay is presented and discussed as a

    separate section.

                                       21

           3940.0
                                     SUSWUEHANNA R
                     CHESAPEAKE                                    C. t
                        BAY                                      ft

                            PATAPSCO~25C/�   :
           3910.0 -                                       4

           33D40.- 0 LiF,."

           3810.0 -         11                                   --

                                            15
            3740. 0-                                 14

                  _                                                 0
                                                            -"

            3710.0 -

                                             20

            3640.0

    Figure  7.  Location of upper, middle and lower zones of the Chesapeake
               Bay and the 21 major sections used for delineation of SAV
               distribution patterns. (See Table 3 and Appendix B for exact
               boundary positions.)

                                       22

    TABLE 3. AREA DESCRIPTION FOR EACH OF 21 MAJOR SECTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE
             BAY SAV STUDY AREA.**

    Section 1.  Susquehanna  Flats  - all  areas between and including Spesutie
               Island and Turkey Point at the mouth of the Elk River to include
               the Northeast River.

    Section 2.  Upper Eastern  Shore  - all  areas  in  the  Elk,  Bohemia  and
               Sassafras Rivers, and SAV in areas on the eastern shore above
               the Swan Point quadrangle.

    Section 3.  Upper  Western  Shore  - all areas south of Spesutie Island and
               north of the bay bridge to include the Bush, Gunpowder, Middle,
               Patapsco and Magothy Rivers.

    Section 4. Chester River - includes all of the Chester River, Eastern Neck,
               areas  north  of the bay bridge on Kent Island and south of Swan
               Point, and to include SAV on the Swan Point quadrangle.

    Section 5. Central Western Shore - all areas south of the bay bridge and
               north of Holland Point on Herring Bay to include the Severn,
               South and West Rivers and Herring Bay.

    Section 6. Eastern Bay - all areas south of the bay bridge on Kent Island
               and north of Tilghman Island from Green Marsh Point to include
               the Wye, East and Miles Rivers, Crab Alley Bay, Prospect Bay and
               Poplar, Jefferson and Coaches Islands.

    Section 7. Choptank River - all areas south of Tilghman Island from Green
               Marsh Point and north of Taylor Island to include the Choptank
               and Little Choptank Rivers.

    Section 8. Patuxent River - all areas in the Patuxent River.

    Section 9.  Middle Western Shore - all  areas  south  of  Holland  Point  at
               Herring Bay and north of Point Lookout on the Potomac River but
               not the mouth of the Patuxent River.

    Section 10. Lower Potomac River - all areas between the mouth of the Potomac
               River to a line extending from Maryland Point on the north
               shore, just above Nanjemoy Creek, to Somersett Beach on the
               south shore.

    Section 11. Upper Potomac River - all areas from upriver limit of the Lower
               Potomac River Section to Chain Bridge at Washington D.C.

    ............................................................................

                                    continued

                                        23

                                       TABLE 3.** (continued)

             Section 12. Middle Eastern Shore - all areas south of Taylor Island and
      I                ~ ~~~~north of a line bisecting Cedar Island to include  the  Big  and
                         Little Annemessex Rivers, Fishing Bay, and the Honga, Nanticoke,
                         Wicomico and Manokin Rivers.

             Section 13. Mid-bay   Island   Complex  -  all  areas  in  and  adjacent  to
                         Bloodsworth, South Marsh, Smith and Tangier Islands.

    I        ~~Section 14. Lower  Eastern Shore - all areas south of a line bisecting Cedar
                         Island and located just above the Maryland-Virginia line to
                         Fisherman's Island.

             Section 15. Reedville - includes the area between Windmill Point on the
                         Rappahannock River, and Smith Point at the mouth of the
      *                 ~~~~~Potomac River.

             Section 16. Rappahannock River Complex - includes the entire Rappahannock
                         River, Piankatank River and Milford Haven area.

             Section 17. New Point Comfort Region - includes the area fronting the bay
                         from the lighthouse at New Point Comfort north to, but not
                         including, the bay entrance to Milford Haven.

             Section 18. Mobjack Bay Complex - includes the East, North, Ware and Severn
                         Rivers, the north shore of the Mobjack Bay from New Pt. Comfort
                         lighthouse to the North River, and north of a line bisecting the
                         large shoal area around the Guinea Marsh area.

             Section 19. York River - all areas along the north shore from Clay Bank to
                         the Guinea Marsh area and south of a line bisecting the large
                         shoal area around the Guinea Marsh area, and along the south
                         shore to include the north shore of Goodwin Island.

    U        ~~Section 20. Lower Western Shore - includes all areas south of Goodwin Island
                         to Broad Bay off Lynnhaven Inlet, excluding the James River.

             Section 21. James River - all SAV in the James River including the
                         Chickahominy River.

     I       **- ~Sections 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, and 20 were given new  boundaries  for  the
             1987 report which also changed the delineation of the three major zones.
             These new boundaries have been retained for the 1989  report.   (See  report
    I      ~ ~for these changes and see Figure 7 and Appendix B for boundary locations).

             I                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~24

    Ground Truth and Other Data Bases

         Ground truthing was accomplished by cooperative efforts of a number of

    agencies and  individuals.   Although  incomplete  for  most  areas,  ground

    truthing confirmed the existence of some SAV beds mapped from 1989 aerial

    photography, located a few SAV beds not visible from the photography, and

    provided species data for many of these beds.

          For those areas in Virginia waters where aerial photographic  evidence

    of SAV beds was inconclusive, photo-verification was accomplished by ground

    truthing. Observations were principally made from small boats and by divers

    snorkeling over areas indicated from the photographs. In several river

    systems included in this survey (York, Piankatank and Rappahannock) where

    VIMS researchers transplanted SAV (principally eelgrass), transplant sites

    also were examined carefully by divers for any extant  SAV.   Citizen  Field

    Observation data (compiled by the F&WS) were also added to the Virginia maps

    in Appendix C. In addition, a great deal of ground truth information could

    be extrapolated from earlier studies (Orth et al., 1979; Orth and Moore,

    1982) since SAV beds in this region contain primarily one or two species and

    have not undergone drastic fluctuations since the first bay-wide survey in

    1978.

         In Maryland, ground truth data were obtained in 1989 by the USGS

    Potomac River study, two SAV research and transplanting projects, a F&WS

    survey, and the Citizen and Charterboat Captain volunteer surveys (both data

    sets compiled by the F&WS).  The field study in the  Potomac  River  by  the

    USGS from D.C. to the 301 bridge near Morgantown, Md. used shoreline surveys

                                       25

             to document the distribution of SAV in the tidal Potomac River and

    I        ~~transition zone.

                  The USGS conducted shoreline surveys in the tidal freshwater portion of

             the river and tributaries, specifically the majority of the reach between

             D.C. and Indian Head (quads 40, 34, 28, and 48), from June to August, and,

             in selected locations further south to Aquia Creek (quad 55), in October of

             1989. These surveys were done by boat, using rakes to collect samples to

             determine presence or absence of SAy. Plants were identified by species and

    I        ~~the proportion of each was estimated for vegetated  areas.   Each  vegetated

             area with species proportions was referenced on USGS 7.5 minute topo maps.

             The transition zone was surveyed in August for SAV by spot-checking using
             rakes as described above. Specifically, spot checking was done in the Port

             Tobacco and Nanjemoy Creek quads.   Data from these surveys were transferred

             to the SAV distribution maps in Appendix C.

                 >The F&WS personnel surveyed selected locations by boat using rakes to

             collect samples to determine presence or absence of SAV. Plants collected

             were identified to species when possible. SAV sitings were referenced on

    I       ~~USGS 7.5 minute topo maps along with the sitings reported by the Citizen and

             Chaterboat Captain surveys. Data from these surveys were transferred to the

             SAV distribution maps in Appendix C.

                 >One SAV transplanting project being conducted on the Susquehanna Flats

             by Stan Kollar of Harford Community College (HCC) provided data in the form

             of species presence by percentage, primarily by visual  estimates.   Species

             locations from these data were added to the SAV maps in Appendix C.

     I           ~~~A SAV research group at University of Maryland Horn Point Environmental

             Laboratory (HPL) headed by Court Stevenson also provided ground truth data.

             I                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~26

    Maps of their study sites on the Choptank River were annotated on the maps

    for this report (Appendix C) indicating the species reported for 1989.

         In addition to the scientific surveys, private citizens participated in

    identifying SAV beds by checking areas in the bay for SAV. Two groups were

    responsible  for  looking  for  SAV  under  the  sponsorship   of   separate

    organizations.   The  Maryland  Charterboat  Association participated in the

    baywide effort, funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

    Watermen's Assistance Program. Boat captains were provided with reduced SAV

    quadrangle maps to aid in location of SAV beds and with data sheets on which

    to record information on each SAV bed identified. Sampling of SAV sites was

    undertaken at low tide.  Samples were taken by hand, net  or  rake.   Plants

    were identified as to species onsite or placed in zip-lock plastic bags and

    sent to the DNR for identification. (See maps, Appendix C, for these data.)

         Private citizens volunteered to assist in the SAV ground survey under

    guidance of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (F&WS) and the

    Chesapeake  Bay  Foundation  (CBF).   This  program entailed identifying and

    recording the location of SAV in the bay. Volunteers were recruited through

    press releases, newsletters and personal letters. Volunteers, provided with

    an identification guide of SAV, reduced 1987 SAV maps, and data sheets,

    visited numerous sites around the bay. Each volunteer was asked to identify

    the location where SAV was sighted, as well as water conditions, how many

    and which kind of species, grass bed size, percentage area covered, and

    location description. All information from the Charterboat Captain's survey

    and Citizen's survey was submitted to Linda Hurley and Kathy Reshetiloff

    (F&WS) for processing. Species locations were mapped in Appendix C.

        Ground survey information was included on the SAV distribution and

    abundance maps in Appendix C to show positions of the survey stations in

                                        27

             relation to the beds of SAV mapped from the aerial photographs. Each survey

    I        ~~was designated by a unique symbol to identify  the  different  methods.   In

             most cases, the symbols on the SAV maps (Appendix C) have been enlarged and

             offset from the actual sampling point to avoid confusion with the mapped SAV

             bed.   Where  species  information was available, it was included on the map

             unless it was redundant.

             I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2

                                              SECTION 4

            *                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~RESULTS

             Data Presentation

                  SAV distribution data are presented by topographic quadrangle (Table

    1        ~~4), by section and zone (Table 5),  and  by  quadrangles  within  a  section

             (Table  6).   Topographic  quadrangle  maps  annotated with all SAV beds are

             presented in Appendix C, while individual bed areas for each quadrangle are

    *        ~~given in Appendix D.

                  1989 SAV distribution data and species occurrences are first discussed

             relative to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Bay zones, respectivley. The 21

             sections of the Chesapeake Bay, and Chincoteague Bay, are then discussed

    I        ~~individually  and  the  data  compared  to  results  from  the 1987 study of

             distribution and abundance.

             *                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~29

         TABLE 4.  TOTAL AREA OF SAV IN HECTARES BY TOPOGRAPHIC QUADRANGLES FOR 1978, 1984, 1985, 1986 AND 1987.

                   QUADRANGLE                  1978         1984         1985        1986            1987         1989

           1.  Conowingo Dam, Md.-Pa.           -            -            0           0                -            0
           2.  Aberdeen, Md.                    -            0           6.34        5.77             4.18         0.66
           3.  Havre de Grace, Md.            803.67      1741.85    1605.81    1977.42            1857.89      1835.92
           4.  North East, Md.                  5.62        13.31       29.46        6.95             5.99       105.51
           5.  Elkton, Md.                      0.75         0            0            0               0           5.01
           6.  White Marsh, Md.                 -            0            0           0                0            0
           7.  Edgewood, Md.                   10.48        49.81+       6.31        +++              0.52          0
           8.  Perryman, Md.                    -            2.01        4.64         0               2.93          0
           9.  Spesutie, Md.                    0.84       411.38      439.96      369.54           379.65       187.86
          10.  Earleville, Md.                  4.67         3.47       11.60        9.72             4.69        97.87
          11.  Cecilton, Md.                    -            0            0           0                0            0
          12.  Baltimore East, Md.              -            0            0           0                0            0
          13.  Middle River, Md.               90.06         0          74.80        +++             22.04         3.61
           14.  Gunpowder Neck, Md.            200.71       183.99+    132.99         +++             90.54        34.55
    Li 15.  Hanesville, Md.                      9.31         5.48       10.10        7.70            42.35        12.66
          16.  Betterton, Md.                   6.40         5.74       12.89        8.40            19.81         1.09
           17.  Galena, Md.                      1.46        11.88        0.61       10.91             7.57         2.79
           18.  Curtis Bay, Md.                 33.40         0            0           0                0            0
           19.  Sparrows Pt., Md.               10.52         0           5.56         0                             0
          20.  Swan Point, Md.                 29.86        18.65       10.25        3.33             1.60         5.24
          21.  Rock Hall, Md.                 127.25        30.13       14.71        5.97             5.31        19.16
          22.  Chestertown, Md.                12.31         0           1.92         0                0            0
          23.  Round Bay, Md.                 137.15         0            0           0                0            0
          24.  Gibson Island, Md.             139.45         7.61       16.07        4.09             0.26          0
           25.  Love Point, Md.                 11.81         0           3.94         0                0            0
           26.  Langford Creek, Md.            1255.20      599.72      586.06      294.89           499.17       138.91
           27.  Centreville, Md.                38.75         0            0          0.52             1.45          0
           28.  Washington West, Md.-DC-Va.   -               0++          0           0                0            0
           29.  Washington East, DC-Md.          -            0            0           0                0            0
          30.  South River, Md.                15.14         0             0           0               #            0
          31.  Annapolis, Md.                  27.15         0           0.28        0.12                           0
                                               1                                                       Y~~~~~~~~~

                                                    TABLE 4. (continued)

                 QUANDRANGLE                 1978          1984        1985        1986            1987         1989

         32.  Kent Island, Md.               513.68        26.28       48.36       30.80           322.50       327.06
         33.  Queenstown, Md.                492.10        89.45       97.9        36.57           216.74       128.32
         34.  Alexandria, Va.-DC-Md.           -          160.40      512.70      495.80           470.96       368.43
         35.  Deale, Md.                      61.51         0           2.43        0.57                           0
         36.  Claiborne, Md.                 421.08        52.25      346.69      165.06           136.89       381.67
         37.  St. Michaels, Md.              366.09        11.14      223.91       64.03           231.60       172.45
         38.  Easton, Md.                      1.19         0          14.33         0                0            0
         39.  Fort Belvoir, Va.-Md.            -            0.91        1.73        7.16            19.35        63.48
         40.  Mt. Vernon, Md.-Va               -          420.34      857.81    1080.23           1056.79       334.65
         41.  Lower Marlboro, Md.              -            0            0           0                0            0
         42.  North Beach, Md.                 -            0          18.88         0        #                    0
         43.  Tilghman, Md.                  478.15         6.87      253.74       37.48            85.45       231.10
         44.  Oxford, Md.                    562.96        23.25      329.10       51.91             5.51        95.94
         45.  Trappe, Md.                     64.75         0          33.16          0               #            0
    S    46.  Preston, Md.                     -             0            0           0               0             0
         47.  Quantico, Va.-Md.                             0           6.67       19.23            46.27       533.16
         48.  Indian Head, Va.-Md.             -            0++         0.21        7.51            17.59       184.02
         49.  Benedict, Md.                    1.58         0            0          4.23             1.27          0
         50.  Prince Frederick, Md.            -            0            0            0               0            0
         51.  Hudson, Md.                    377.08         4.42      229.75      193.59           167.74       331.38
         52.  Church Creek, Md.              208.94         9.00      322.63      141.52            49.46        18.99
         53.  Cambridge, Md.                  48.96         0            0           0                             0
         54.  East New Market, Md.             -            0           0.75          0               #            0
         55.  Widewater, Va.-Md.               -            4.59       38.21       39.36            39.17       466.59
         56.  Nanjemoy, Md.                   28.03        30.92      106.68      102.74           108.45       149.61
         57.  Mathias Pt., Md.-Va.           194.12       121.11      228.66      210.70           284.18       346.70
         58.  Popes Creek, Md.                 -            0            0           0                #           6.20
         59.  Mechanicsville. Md.             13.62         0            0          7.59             2.08          0
         60.  Broomes Island, Md.              4.94         4.37       24.71        4.14            20.20          0
         61.  Cove Pt., Md.,                   2.97         3.75        2.46        0.74             4.62         0.48
         62.  Taylors Island, Md.              -            8.55       47.53       12.38            47.47        16.17

                                                    TABLE 4. (continued)

                 QUANDRANGLE                 1978         1984        1985        1986            1987         1989

         63.  Golden Hill, Md.                -            0.42       10.90        1.07             2.53         2.49
         64.  Passapatanzy. Md.-Va.           -            0            0           0                0            0
         65.  King George, Va.-Md.            2.25        13.44       22.15       22.95           16.10        52.25
         66.  Dahlgren, Va.-Md.               8.32         2.67        1.97        2.41           14.29        65.33
         67.  Colonial Beach N. Md.-Va.    87.44          25.63       15.66       18.42           17.79         28.46
         68.  Rock Pt., Md.                  22.85         0           0.27         0                0            0
         69.  Leonardtown, Md.                2.44         0            0           0                0            0
         70.  Hollywood, Md.                  -            0            0          1.33            4.97           0
         71.  Solomons Island, Md.           10.54          0.76      15.52        2.63             8.33         2.96
         72.  Barren Island, Md.              -            0         264.99      177.17          269.81       394.52
         73.  Honga, Md.                    126.94         5.05      178.58      194.48          632.04       773.50
         74.  Wingate, Md.                    2.64         8.81       97.99       90.83          171.97       369.30
         75.  Nanticoke, Md.                  -            0            0           0                0           5.02
         76.  Colonial Beach S., Va.-Md.   61.95          11.26         0           0                0            0
         77.  Stratford Hall, Va.-Md.         5.53         2.16         0           0                0            0
    iw   78.  St. Clements Is., Va.-Md.        0.13         0            0          0                0            0
         79.  Piney Point, Md.-Va.            -            -           0.51        1.51              0            0
         80.  St. Marys City, Md.             -            -          19.01       16.66            10.48          0
         81.  Point No Point, Md.             -            -          16.50         0                0            0
         82.  Richland Pt., Md.               0.73        0.38        24.28        3.76           42.46         24.03
         83.  Bloodsworth Island, Md.        66.07       18.29       285.53      385.28          555.76       686.76
         84.  Deal Island, Md.                3.01         0          16.65       60.48           60.24         27.38
         85.  Monie, Md.                      9.15         0           1.93       18.69           24.60         17.84
         86.  Champlain, Va.                  -            -            0           -                -            0
         87.  Machodoc, Va.                   -            -             00                          0            0
         88.  Kinsale. Va.-Md.                -            -            0           0                0            0
         89.  St. George Island, Va.-Md.    -              -           8.82        6.91            5.73          2.84
         90.  Point Lookout. Md.              -            -           5.76        0.58              0            0
         91.  Kedges Straits, Md.           156.09      366.42       474.91      637.99          693.37       781.29
         92.  Terrapin Sand Point, Md.    314.48        187.00       180.48      209.35           93.26       218.22
         93.  Marion. Md.                   289.33         0         200.29      243.13          160.14        202.27

                                              TABLE 4. (continued)

             QUANDRANGLE                1978         1984        1985       1986            1987         1989

     94.  Mount Landing, Va.              -                        -
     95.  Tappahannock, Va.                    -                         -             -
     96.  Lottsburg, Va.                  -          -             -           0               -           0
     97.  Heathsville, Va.-Md.            -          -             -           0               0           0
     98.  Burgess, Va.-Md.                -          -             -           0               0           0
     99.  Ewell, Va.-Md.                1483.30    2308.58    2129.67    2324.36          2012.93      2423.93
    100.  Great Fox Is., Va.-Md.       540.65      807.81      1074.25    1362.12          1089.95     1381.80
    101.  Crisfield, Va.-Md.              7.48     113.01        79.22      180.46          123.22      202.04
    102.  Saxis. Va.-Md.                  -          -             -           -               0          2.08
    103.  Dunnsville, Va.                 -          -
    104.  Morattico, Va.                  -          -             0           -               0           0
    105.  Lively, Va.                     -          -             0           -               0           0
    106.  Reedville, Va.                230.40     108.56        51.17       71.28           87.99      157.88
    107.  Tangier Island, Va.          405.06      614.44       613.55      651.89         499.15       696.00
    108.  Chesconessex, Va.            482.54      808.61       827.28      920.15         911.70       972.11
    109.  Parksley, Va.                  80.35     264.80       241.16      318.28         235.80       320.19
    110.  Urbanna, Va.                    -          -             -           -            36.16       200.66
    111.  Irvington, Va.                  5.31       9.33         8.26        7.50           97.34      245.43
    112.  Fleets Bay, Va.               133.23     155.45       120.91      132.88          235.67      334.59
    113.  Nandua Creek, Va.             184.86     345.10       350.51      375.97         378.70       406.24
    114.  Pungoteague, Va.             401.63      716.76       691.94      706.23          696.73      795.06
    115.  West Point, Va.                 -          -             -           -               -           -
    116.  Saluda, Va.                     -          -             -           -               0         19.08
    117.  Wilton, Va.                    10.43       0             0           -             26.75       43.07
    118.  Deltaville, Va.               59.43        6.62         0.70        0.52           18.88       81.06
    119.  Jamesville, Va.              406.04      367.36       327.20      404.46          419.53      496.41
    120.  Toano, Va.                      -          -             -           -               -
    121.  Gressitt, Va.                   -          -             -           -               -           0
    122.  Ware Neck, Va.                256.00     203.15       171.91      168.59          194.32      278.08
    123.  Mathews, Va.                   63.88      30.32        37.39       37.03           58.08      110.18
    124.  Franktown, Va.               504.49      395.26       419.66      441.77         392.70       435.85

                                             TABLE 4. (continued)

             QUANDRANGLE                 1978         1984        1985        1986             1987         1989

    125.  Westover, Va.                    - .
    126.  Charles City. Va.                -           -             -           -
    127.  Brandon, Va.                     -           -             -          ++++                    0      0
    128.  Norge, Va.                      46.48       46.48**      46.48**    13.66**             0**          0
    129.  Williamsburg, Va.                -           --
    130.  Clay Bank, Va.                   -           -             -           -                0            0
    131.  Achilles. Va.                  797.92      741.50       710.16      702.91          755.41        963.57
    132.  New Point Comfort, Va.         1096.31    1092.71    1154.55    1155.33            1048.89       1264.93
    133.  Cape Charles, Va.              321.42      308.32       329.48      255.33          266.42        271.66
    134.  Cheriton, Va.                   85.20       55.99        63.58       72.74           73.50         73.21
    135.  Savedge, Va.                     -
    136.  Claremont, Va.                   -           -             -           -
    137.  Surry, Va.                       - . .
    138.  Hog Island, Va.                  -           -             -           -
    139.  Yorktown, Va.                    1.92        0.23         0.21        0.28             0.98         1.58
    140.  Poquoson West, Va.             210.44      216.93       237.70      235.96          290.53        412.40
    141.  Poquoson East, Va.             516.63      687.16       784.53      762.30          752.42        994.67
    142.  Elliotts Creek, Va.             44.58       14.48         8.41       19.91            9.43         15.90
    143.  Townsend, Va.                   42.70        4.80        17.72       14.42            11.97        12.55
    144.  Bacons Castle, Va.               -           -             -           -
    145.  Mulberry Island, Va.             -           -             -           -
    146.  Newport News North, Va.          -           -             -           -                0            -
    147.  Hampton, Va.                   218.25      233.15       287.10      270.40          283.99        304.05
    148.  Benns Church, Va.                -           -             -           -
    149.  Newport News South, Va.          1.87        0             0           -                0            0
    150.  Norfolk North, Va.               -                         -           -                0            0
    151.  Little Creek, Va.                -           0             0           -                0            0
    152.  Cape Henry, Va.                  *          37.87        36.76       43.31           40.50         36.46
    153.  Chuckatuck. Va.                  -           -             -
    154.  Bowers Hill, Va.                 -           -                   -
    155.  Norfolk South. Va.               -           -             -           -

    m -    -    - m -                                                           m m- - -    m

                                                        TABLE 4. (continued)

                     QUANDRANGLE                  1978          1984        1985         1986            1987          1989

           156.  Kempsville, Va.                   - .
           157.  Princess Anne, Va.                -            -             -            -                             0
           158.  Wye Mills, Md.                    -            -            1.10          -                -            0
           159.  Bristol, Md.                      -            -            2.08          0                #            0
           160.  Fowling Creek, Md.                             - -0                       0                -            0
           161.  Port Tobacco, Md.                 -            -             0           1.10             5.64        12.09
           162.  Charlotte Hall, Md.               -            -             0            0                0            0
           163.  Mardela Springs, Md.              -            -                          0                0            0
           164.  Wetipquin, Md.                    -            -             0            0                0            0
           165.  Selbyville, Md.                   -            -             -            -                0            0
           166.  Assawoman Bay, Md.                -                          -            - -                           0
           167.  Berlin, Md.                       -            -             -            -               7.06         4.98
           168.  Ocean City. Md.                   -            -             -            -               8.42         3.45
           169.  Public Landing. Md.               -            -             -            -                0            0
           170.  Tingles Island, Md.               -            -             -        852.47          1020.60        820.88
           171.  Girdle Tree. Md.-Va.              -            -             -            -                0            0
           172.  Boxiron, Md.-Va.                  -            -             -        687.95           664.94        653.90
           173.  Whittington Point, Md.-Va.        -            -             -         189.94          207.90        161.77
           174.  Chincoteague West, Va.            -            -             -            0                0            0
           175.  Chincoteague East, Va.            -            -             0        403.57           401.00        665.66
           176.  Anacostia, D.C.-Md.                                          -            -                             0
                 TOTAL SAV - Chesapeake Bay  16,622.40  15,399.70  19,390.64  19,165.44                20,119.39   26.537.09
                 TOTAL SAV - Chincoteague Bay                                          2,133.93         2,309.91    2,310.52

                                             TABLE 4. (continued)

    NOTES: - Indicates quadrangle not photographed and assumed to have no SAV.
            0 Indicates quadrangle photographed and no SAV noted.
           * Area not flown in 1978 but most likely had SAV in 1978 based on data collected in subsequent
              years.
           ** Area not photographed in 1984 or 1985. We made the assumption that the 1984 and 1985
               distributions would be similar to the 1978 distribution. Area was photographed and mapped in
               1986. Area was photographed in 1987 and was known to have SAV in 1987 but was not mapped
              because SAV beds were too narrow and obscured by the shoreline at 1:24000 scale. In 1987
               ground truthing revealed narrow beds fringing the shoreline of small tributaries of the
               Chickahominy River (see map. Appendix C).
           + Information on SAV distribution taken from 1983 aerial photographs provided by Willie Burton
               of Martin Marietta Corp.
          ++ Presence of SAV beds not detected from 1984 aerial photography. Information provided by
              Virginia Carter of the USGS for the 1984 Potomac River Shoreline Survey indicated presence of
               SAV.
         +++ Aerial photography unavailable in 1986. therefore, SAV acreage data not collected. SAV
              presence verified by ground truth surveys. See 1986 SAV report (Orth, et. al., 1987) for
              discussion of Section 2, Upper Eastern Shore, and Section 3, Upper Western Shore, in Results,
               and maps in APPENDIX C.
        ++++ Aerial photography unavailable in 1986, therefore, SAV acreage data not collected. SAV
              presence verified by ground truth surveys. See 1986 SAV report (Orth, et. al., 1987) for
              discussion of Section 21, James River, in Results.
           # Presence of SAV beds not detected from 1987 aerial photography. Information provided by
              Linda Hurley of the USF&WS indicated presence of SAV.

    TABLE 5.  NUMBERS  OF  HECTARES  OF  BOTTOM  COVERED  WITH SUBMERGED AQUATIC
              VEGETATION IN 1989 FOR SECTIONS WITHIN THE THREE ZONES OF THE
              CHESAPEAKE BAY AND IN CHINCOTEAGUE BAY. (Section boundaries
              redefined for 1987 report. See Figure 7, Table 3 and Appendix B
              for boundary locations.)

               Zone                Section                  AREA
                                                       (HECTARES)

                          1.  Susquehanna Flats              1945
              Upper       2.  Upper Eastern Shore              307
                          3.  Upper Western Shore              38
                          4.  Chester River                    167
                                             Zone Total    2,457
             ....................................................
                          5.  Central Western Shore             0
                          6.  Eastern Bay                     834
                          7.  Choptank River                  862
             Middle       8.  Patuxent River                     3
                          9.  Middle Western Shore              0
                         10.  Lower Potomac River              269
                         11.  Upper Potomac River            1998
                         12.  Middle Eastern Shore           2035
                         13.  Mid-Bay Island ComDlex         4415
                                             Zone Total   10,416
             ....................................................
                         14.  Lower Eastern Shore           4718
                         15.  Reedville                      738
             Lower       16.  Rappahannock River Complex    669
                         17.  New Point Comfort Region       344
                         18.  Mobjack Bay Complex           1589
                         19.  York River                      679
                         20.  Lower Western Shore           1670
                         21.  James River                      4
                                             Zone Total  10,411

             ....................................................
                         TOTAL SAV FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY    23,285

                         TOTAL SAV FOR CHINCOTEAGUE BAY   2,310

                                         37

    TABLE 6.  NUMBER OF SQUARE  METERS  OF  SAV  IN  1989  FOR  EACH  QUADRANGLE
              CONTAINED WITHIN THE 21 SECTIONS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND FOR
              CHINCOTEAGUE BAY. MAP CODE NUMBERS FROM TABLE 2 IN PARENTHESES.

    SECTION                           QUADRANGLE               AREA

    Susquehanna Flats - 1             Conowingo Dam (1)               0
                                     Aberdeen (2)               6,603
                                     Havre de Grace (3)   18,355,110
                                     North East (4)                  0
                                     Elkton (5)                      0
                                     Perryman (8)                    0
                                     Spesutie (9)           1,087,980
                                     Earleville (10)                 0

                                                           19,449,600 sq.m
                                                             1,944.96 hectares
                                                             4,806.00 acres

    Upper Eastern Shore - 2           North East (4)         1,055,036
                                     Elkton (5)                50,136
                                     Perryman (8)                    0
                                     Spesutie (9)             790,515
                                     Earleville (10)          978,678
                                     Cecilton (11)                   0
                                     Gunpowder Neck (14)             0
                                     Hanesville (15)          126,610
                                     Betterton (16)            10,860
                                     Galena (17)               27,884
                                     Swan Point (20)                 0
                                     Rock Hall (21)            30,621

                                                            3,070,340 sq.m
                                                               307.03 hectares
                                                               758.68 acres

    Upper Western Shore - 3           White Marsh (6)                 0
                                     Edgewood (7)                    0
                                     Perryman (8)                    0
                                     Spesutie (9)                    0
                                     Baltimore East (12)             0
                                     Middle River (13)         36,118
                                     Gunpowder Neck (14)      345,544
                                     Hanesville (15)                 0
                                     Curtis Bay (18)                 0
                                     Sparrows Point (19)             0
                                     Swan Point (20)                 0
                                     Round Bay (23)                  0
                                     Gibson Island (24)              0

                                      continued

                                          38

                                TABLE 6. (continued)

    Upper Western Shore - 3 (continued)
                                     Love Point (25)                 0

                                                               381,662 sq.m
                                                                 38.17 hectares
                                                                 94.31 acres

    Chester River - 4                 Betterton (16)                   0
                                     Galena (17)                     0
                                     Swan Point (20)            54,409
                                     Rock Hall (21)            160,956
                                     Chestertown (22)                0
                                     Love Point (25)                 0
                                     Langford Creek (26)   1,389,220
                                     Centreville (27)                0
                                     Kent Island (32)                0
                                     Queenstown (33)            69.034

                                                             1,671,619 sq.m
                                                                167.16 hectares
                                                                413.06 acres

    Central Western Shore - 5         Curtis Bay (18)                  0
                                     Round Bay (23)                  0
                                     Gibson Island (24)              0
                                     South River (30)                0
                                     Annapolis (31)                  0
                                     Deale (35)                      0
                                     North Beach (42)                0

                                                                     0 sq.m
                                                                     0 hectares
                                                                     0 acres

    Eastern Bay -6                    Annapolis (31)                   0
                                     Kent Island (32)        3,270,651
                                     Queenstown (33)         1,214,291
                                     Claiborne (36)          2,206,638
                                     St. Mighaels (37)      1,646,711
                                     Easton (38)                     0
                                     Tilghman (43)                   0
                                     Oxford (44)                     0

                                                             8,338,291 sq.m
                                                                833.83 hectares
                                                              2,060.39 acres

                                      continued

                                          39

                                TABLE 6. (continued)

    Choptank River - 7                Claiborne (36)          1,607,895
                                      St. Michaels (37)          77,222
                                      Easton (38)                     0
                                      Tilghman (43)           2,311,106
                                      Oxford (44)               959,387
                                      Trappe (45)                     0
                                      Preston (46)                    0
                                      Hudson (51)             3,313,613
                                      Church Creek (52)         189,937
                                      Cambridge (53)                  0
                                      East New Market (54)            0
                                      Taylors Island (62)       161,654
                                      Golden Hill (63)                0
                                      Fowling Creek (160)             0

                                                             8,620,814 sq.m
                                                                862.08 hectares
                                                              2,130.20 acres

    Patuxent River - 8                Deale (35)                      0
                                      Lower Marlboro (41)            0
                                      North Beach (42)               0
                                      Benedict (49)                  0
                                      Prince Frederick (50)          0
                                      Mechanicsville (59)            0
                                      Broomes Island (60)            0
                                      Cove Point (61)            4,774
                                      Hollywood (70)                 0
                                      Solomons Island (71)    29,595
                                      Bristol (159)                  0

                                                               34,369 sq.m
                                                                 3.44 hectares
                                                                 8.49 acres

    Middle Western Shore - 9          North Beach (42)                0
                                      Prince Frederick (50)          0
                                      Hudson (51)                    0
                                      Broomes Island (60)            0
                                      Cove Point (61)                0
                                      Taylors Island (62)            0
                                      Solomons Island (71)           0
                                      Barren Island (72)             0
                                      St. Marys City (80)            0
                                      Point No Point (81)            0
                                      Richland Point (82)            0

                                       continued

                                           40

                                TABLE 6.  (continued)

    Middle Western Shore - 9 (continued)
                                     Point Lookout (90)            0

                                                                    0 sq.m
                                                                    0 hectares
                                                                    0 acres

    Lower Potomac River - 10          Nanjemoy (56)          1,496,092
                                     Mathias Point (57)              0
                                     Popes Creek (58)          61,980
                                     Mechanicsville (59)             0
                                     King George (65)         147,912
                                     Dahlgren (66)            653,267
                                     Colonial Beach
                                       North (67)             284,566
                                     Rock Point (68)                 0
                                     Leonardtown (69)                0
                                     Hollywood (70)                  0
                                     Solomons Island (71)            0
                                     Colonial Beach
                                       South (76)                   0
                                     Stratford Hall (77)             0
                                     St. Clements
                                       Island (78)                  0
                                     Piney Point (79)                0
                                     St. Marys City (80)             0
                                     Machodoc (87)                   0
                                     Kinsale (88)                    0
                                     St. George
                                       Island (89)             28,413
                                     Point Lookout (90)              0
                                     Lottsburg (96)                  0
                                     Heathsville (97)                0
                                     Burgess (98)                    0
                                     Port Tobacco (161)        17,165
                                     Charlotte Hall (162)            0

                                                            2,689,395 sq.m
                                                               268.94 hectares
                                                               664.55 acres

    Upper Potomac River - 11          Washington West (28)            0
                                     Washington East (29)            0
                                     Alexandria (34)        3,684,402
                                     Fort Belvoir (39)        634,809
                                     Mt. Vernon (40)        3,346,106
                                     Quantico (47)          5,331,638

                                      continued

                                          41

                                TABLE 6. (continued)

    Upper Potomac River - 11 (continued)
                                     Indian Head (48)       1,840,078
                                     Widewater (55)         4,666,420
                                     Nanjemoy (56)                   0
                                     Mathias Point (57)              0
                                     Passapatanzy (64)               0
                                     King George (65)         374,853
                                     Dahlgren (66)                   0
                                     Port Tobacco (161)       103,741

                                                           19,982,044 sq.m
                                                             1,998.20 hectares
                                                             4,937.56 acres

    Middle Eastern Shore - 12         Taylors Island (62)             0
                                     Golden Hill (63)          24,915
                                     Barren Island (72)    3,945,341
                                     Honga (73)             7,734,319
                                     Wingate (74)           3,693,344
                                     Nanticoke (75)            50,162
                                     Richland Point (82)      240,230
                                     Bloodsworth
                                       Island (83)            782,931
                                     Deal Island (84)         273,837
                                     Monie (85)               178,368
                                     Terrapin Sand
                                       Point (92)             118,467
                                     Marion (93)            2,022,714
                                     Great Fox
                                       Island (100)         1,287,101
                                     Crisfield (101)          474,794
                                     Mardela Springs (163)           0
                                     Wetipquin (164)                 0

                                                           20,351,720 sq.m
                                                             2,035.17 hectares
                                                             5,028.91 acres

    Mid-Bay Island Complex - 13       Richland Point (82)             0
                                     Bloodsworth
                                       Island (83)          6,085,111
                                     Deal Island (84)                0
                                     Kedges Straits (91)             0
                                     Terrapin Sand
                                        Point (92)          2,063,632
                                     Ewell (99)            24,239,832
                                     Great Fox Is.  (100)  5,314,487

                                      continued

                                          42

                                TABLE 6. (Continued)

    Mid-Bay Island Complex - 13 (continued)
                                     Tangier Island (107)  6,441.425

                                                           44,144,480 sq.m
                                                             4,414.45 hectares
                                                            10,908.10 acres

    Lower Eastern Shore - 14          Great Fox Island(100) 7,215,881
                                     Crisfield (101)         1,436,282
                                     Saxis (102)                20,770
                                     Tangier Island (107)    518,920
                                     Chesconessex (108)    9,721,160
                                     Parksley (109)         3,201,754
                                     Nandua Creek (113)    4,062,116
                                     Pungoteague (114)       7,951,006
                                     Jamesville (119)       4,964,022
                                     Franktown (124)        4,358,882
                                     Cape Charles (133)    2,716,648
                                     Cheriton (134)            732,115
                                     Elliotts Creek (142)    158,984
                                     Townsend (143)            125.531

                                                           47,184,056 sq.m
                                                             4,718.41 hectares
                                                            11,659.18 acres

    Reedville - 15                    Heathsville (97)                 0
                                     Burgess (98)                    0
                                     Reedville (106)         1,578,771
                                     Irvington (111)        2,454,316
                                     Fleets Bay (112)       3.345.897

                                                            7,378,984 sq.m
                                                               737.90 hectares
                                                             1,823.35 acres

    Rappahannock River Complex - 16 Tappahannock (95)                  0
                                     Dunnsville (103)                0
                                     Morattico (104)                 0
                                     Lively (105)                    0
                                     Urbanna (110)           2,006,669
                                     Irvington (111)        2,454,482
                                     Fleets Bay (112)            1,212
                                     Saluda (116)              190,787
                                     Wilton (117)              430,680
                                     Deltaville (118)          810,605
                                     Ware Neck (122)                 0

                                      continued

                                          43

                                TABLE 6. (continued)

    Rappahannock River Complex - 16 (continued)
                                     Mathews (123)            797,847

                                                            6,692,292 sq.m
                                                               669.23 hectares
                                                             1,653.66 acres

    New Point Comfort Region - 17   Mathews (123)                     0
                                     New Point
                                       Comfort (132)        3,440.852

                                                            3,440,852 sq.m
                                                               344.09 hectares
                                                               850.23 acres

    Mobjack Bay Complex - 18          Ware Neck (122)        2,780,668
                                     Mathews (123)            303,972
                                     Achilles (131)         6,706,823
                                     New Point
                                        Comfort (132)       6,102,371

                                                           15,893,832 sq.m
                                                             1,589.38 hectares
                                                             3,927.37 acres

    York River - 19                   Toano (120)                     0
                                     Gressitt (121)                  0
                                     Williamsburg (129)              0
                                     Clay Bank (130)                 0
                                     Achilles (131)         2,929,100
                                     New Pt. Comfort (132) 3,104,722
                                     Hog Island (138)                0
                                     Yorktown (139)            15,826
                                     Poquoson West (140)      740,234
                                     Poquoson East (141)             0

                                                            6,789,882 sq.m
                                                               678.99 hectares
                                                             1,677.78 acres

    Lower Western Shore - 20          Poquoson West (140)   3,382,530
                                     Poquoson East (141)   9,946,190
                                     Elliotts Creek (142)           0
                                     Newport News
                                       North (146)                   0
                                     Hampton (147)          3,002,001
                                     Norfolk North (150)             0

                                      continued

                                          44

                                TABLE 6. (continued)

    Lower Western Shore - 20 (continued)

                                     Little Creek (151)              0
                                     Cape Henry (152)          364,698
                                     Kempsville (156)                0
                                     Princess Anne (157)             0

                                                            16,695,418 sq.m
                                                              1,669.54 hectares
                                                              4,125.44 acres

    James River - 21                  Toano (120)                      0
                                     Westover (125)                  0
                                     Charles City (126)              0
                                     Brandon (127)                   0
                                     Norge (128)                     0
                                     Williamsburg (129)              0
                                     Savedge (135)                   0
                                     Claremont (136)                 0
                                     Surry (137)                     0
                                     Hog Island (138)                0
                                     Yorktown (139)                  0
                                     Bacons Castle (144)             0
                                     Mulberry Island (145)           0
                                     Newport News
                                       North (146)                   0
                                     Hampton (147)              38,602
                                     Benns Church (148)              0
                                     Newport News
                                        South (149)                   0
                                     Norfolk North (150)             0
                                     Little Creek (151)              0
                                     Chuckatuck (153)                0
                                     Bowers Hill (154)               0
                                     Norfolk South (155)             0
                                     Kempsville (156)                0

                                                                38,602 sq.m
                                                                  3.86 hectares
                                                                  9.54 acres

                                      continued

                                          45

                               TABLE 6. (continued)

    Chincoteague Bay                  Berlin (167)               49,775
                                     Ocean City (168)           34,490
                                     Public Landing (169)            0
                                     Tingles Island (170)  8,208,322
                                     Girdle Tree (171)               0
                                     Boxiron (172)          6,538,884
                                     Whittington Point
                                                 (173)     1,617,859
                                     Chincoteague West
                                                 (174)              0
                                     Chinoteague East
                                                 (175)     6.655,878

                                                          23,105,204 sq.m
                                                             2,310.52 hectares
                                                             5,709.29 acres

                                          46

                                   DISCUSSION

        In 1989, the Chesapeake Bay had 24.412 hectares of SAV, compared to

    20,119 hectares in 1987, with 2,457 (10%), 11,544 (47%) and 10,411 (43%)

    hectares occurring in the Upper, Middle and Lower Bay zones, respectively

    (Figs. 1 and 2). Seventy-two percent of the SAV is concentrated in the bay

    from  Barren  Island-Honga  River to the bay mouth, exclusive of the Potomac

    River (Fig. 3). Forty-nine percent (11,949 hectares) of the SAV was present

    along the eastern shore (sections 12, 13, and 14) from the Barren Island-

    Honga River area to just below Cape Charles (Fig. 3)

         In the Upper Bay zone 79% of the SAV was located in the Susquehanna

    Flats section (1945 hectares). Nine species of SAV were documented by

    ground  truth surveys in this section, with Mvrioohvllum  spicatu  being the

    dominant species.  Hydrilla verticillata was found in the Flats but occurred

    in small isolated beds. In addition to the reduced overall abundance of SAV

    from 1987, beds were generally much less dense, with 95%  of  all  SAV  beds

    classified as very sparse, and no beds classified as dense (70-100%

    coverage). In the Upper Eastern Shore section (307 hectares), SAV was

    located principally in the Elk and lower Sassafras Rivers, Swan, Stillpond,

    and Churn Creeks, with many of the same species as reported in the

    Susquehanna   Flats  section.   In  the  Upper  Western  Shore  section  (38

    hectares), SAV was concentrated in Saltpeter and Seneca Creeks, with M.

    spicatum and  Vallisneria  americana  being  most abundant.  In the Chester

    River section (167 hectares), SAV was most abundant adjacent to Eastern Neck

                                       47

    and Eastern Neck Island and in the lower Chester River. In this region

    Ruppia maritima was the most abundant of six species which were reported.

         In the Middle Bay Zone, 45% (5,196 hectares) of the SAV was found in

    the Mid-bay Island Complex, where Ruppia maritima and Zostera marina were

    present, in particular, the broad shoal area between Smith and Tangier

    Islands. Eighteen percent (2,035 hectares) of the SAV was present in the

    Middle Eastern Shore section, primarily in the Barren Island-Honga River

    area, the Big and Little Annemessex Rivers, and the lower section of the

    Manokin River, with R. maritima being the dominant species reported for this

    area. Little or no SAV was mapped or reported from the Central Western

    Shore, Middle Western Shore, and Patuxent River sections.

        The Middle Bay zone also includes the entire Potomac River, where 2,614

    hectares of SAV were present in 1989. SAV was concentrated in two distinct

    zones: 1. the tidal freshwater region (the Upper Potomac River section  with

    1998 hectares) where H. verticillata remained the numerically dominant

    species (eight other  species  were  recorded  from  the  USGS  and  citizen

    surveys); and 2. the region around the Rt. 301 bridge (the upper portion of

    the Lower Potomac River section with 616 hectares), including  the  Nanjemoy

    and  Port  Tobacco  Creeks, with V. americana and M. spicatum being reported

    the most frequently reported species  in  this  area.   Although  the  total

    abundance of SAV in the upper section increased from 1987 (1,665 hectares),

    many of the very dense beds from the Woodrow Wilson bridge to just below

    Piscataway Creek declined. The decline was offset by the large increases in

    SAV from Quantico Creek to Aquia Creek, along both shores.

        SAV  was  abundant  throughout the entire Lower Bay zone except for the

    James River. Forty-five percent of SAV in the Lower Bay zone was found in

    the Lower Eastern Shore section, around the Fox Islands and the mouths of

                                       48

    major creeks (i.e Cherrystone Inlet, Hungars Creek, Mattawoman Creek,

    Occahannock  Creek,  Craddock  Creek, Pungoteague Creek and Onancock Creek).

    Along the western shore, SAV was abundant in Mobjack Bay (15% of SAV in the

    Lower Bay zone), lower York River, Back River and Drum Island Flats area

    adjacent to Plum Tree Island. Both R. maritima and Z. marina were abundant

    throughout  this  zone.   R.  maritima continued to increase in abundance in

    both the Piankatank and  Rappahannock  Rivers.   Z.  marina  is  present  in

    several sections resulting from previously successful transplant efforts.

         SAV in Chincoteague Bay was little changed in distribution  from  1987,

    with  2,310  hectares  reported  in  1989.   All  of the SAV consisted of R.

    maritima and Z. marina and was located along the eastern  side  of  the  bay

    behind Assateague Island.

                              1. SUSQUEHANNA FLATS

         There were 1945 hectares (4806 acres) of SAV in the Susquehanna Flats

    section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 8; Appendix C, Maps 2, 3, and 9) compared

    to  2219  hectares  mapped  in  1987.   In  addition  to the reduced overall

    abundance of SAV from 1987, beds were generally much less dense (95% of the

    beds are classified as very sparse, and no beds were classified as dense).

    SAV beds were located principally in two  main  areas:  1.  very  sparse  to

    moderate fringing beds in the Susquehanna River consisting primarily of M.

    spicatum, with P. pectinatus, C. demersum, V. americana, H.  dubia,  and N.

    guadaluoensis  in  lesser  amounts from Spencer Island to the river mouth at

    Havre de Grace on the west side, and to Stump Point at  the  mouth  of  Mill

    Creek on the north side; and 2. a large area of very sparse SAV located in

    the broad shoal area  at  the  river  mouth.   This  broad  shoal  consisted

                                        49

    3 9 3 75 tier,,,;,,

    3930. 0

    3922.5       lilt   IIIIIIIIIIIIII 1-141-Aol II              I I 6 I I  I-.  I I I
    3930.05

                                                                       t~~~~~~~~t

               Figure 8. Distribution of SAVr in Susquehanna Flats (Section 1).

                                              50

    primarily of small patches of M. spicatum, with P. pectinatus, V. americana,

    C. demersum and N. guadaluoensis.

        A total of nine species (M. spicatum, H. dubia, V. americana, H.

    verticillata, C. demersum, P. pectinatus, N. auadaluDensis, P. perfoliatus,

    and Najas spp.)  have  been  reported  either  by  Stan  Kollar  of  Harford

    Community College or the Citizen or Charterboat Captains surveys. SAV beds

    consisted of up to five species, with M. spicatum being dominant. H. dubia,

    V. americana, H. verticillata and C. demersum also occurred in significant

    abundance. SAV remains virtually absent from Mill Creek, Furnace Bay,

    Northwest River, Swan Creek, Spesutie Island and western Elk Neck.

                             2. UPPER EASTERN SHORE

         There were 307 hectares (759 acres) of SAV mapped for the Upper Eastern

    Shore section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 9; Appendix C, Maps 4, 5, 9, 10, 15,

    16, 17, and 21), compared to 103 hectares mapped for 1987, consisting of

    very sparse (35% of the total) to sparse (63% of the total), small beds.

    Principal  locations  of  beds  were  in  the  Elk  River, Swan Creek, lower

    Sassafras River, Stillpond Creek, and the mouth of Churn Creek. Very little

    SAV was mapped in the Bohemia River and along the mainstem of the bay from

    Stillpond Creek to Swan Point. This section has contained relatively little

    SAV since the baywide SAV survey began in 1978, although, historically, this

    section has contained abundant SAV.

        M.  spicatum  and  V.  americana  were  the  two most commonly reported

    species,  with  seven  other  species  (H.  verticillata,  C.  demersum,  P.

    pectinatus, E. canadensis, Z. palustris, P. crispus, and R. maritima)

    reported in lesser amounts as determined  by  the  Citizen  and  Charterboat

                                        51

        I945.  0  .l"'"1111              11 111111  111 1   IIIIIIIIIIIIIL

        3937. 5

        3930. 0                    '

                                                          *Y _-

        391522. 5

               Ua  0                 UJ         0          U'         0

    Figure 9. Distribution of SAV in Upper Eastern Shore (Section 2).

                                      52

    Captains surveys.

                             3. UPPER WESTERN SHORE

        There were 38 hectares (94 acres) of SAV mapped from the aerial

    photographs in 1989 for the Upper Western Shore section (Tables 4-6; Fig.

    10; Appendix C, Maps 13 and 14) compared to 117 hectares in 1987. SAV beds

    were concentrated in Saltpeter and Seneca Creeks. Very little or no SAV was

    reported in the Back, Patapso, Bush, Gunpowder, Middle, and Magothy Rivers.

        M. spicatum, E. canadensis, Z. palustris, P. pectinatus, and C.

    demersum were reported by the Citizen and Charterboat Captains surveys (maps

    7, 18, 19, 23, and 24).

                                4.  CHESTER RIVER

        There were 167 hectares (413 acres) of SAV in the Chester River section

    in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 11; Appendix C, Maps 20, 21, 26, and 33) compared

    to  515  hectares  in 1987.  Most of the SAV was located adjacent to Eastern

    Neck and Eastern Neck Island, and in the Chester River. Additional beds are

    found in Rock Hall Harbor, The Haven, Swan and Huntingfield Creeks, located

    above Eastern Neck on the Chesapeake Bay.

         Six species of SAV were reported from this section in 1989 by the

    Citizen, Charterboat Captains, and U. S. Fish and Wildlife surveys (maps 21

    and  26).   R.  maritima  and  P.  perfoliatus were by far the most commonly

    reported species in  this  section  with  P.  pectinatus, M.  spicatum,  E.

    canadensis, and Z. palustris being reported less frequently.

                                        53

    3930. 0  ,, ,           ,I IIIIIIIIIIIIIII ,,,,,,,,,1 ,rIr,,,,,l    III IIII IIII4ll111111111L

    3922.5

    3915. 0: X(I Y

    3907.  5               \

     $900.        0        111I'I  "'14- I Am f,;Iill ill11E11 tillr
          O             .N)          O             I.~          O             u)            O

          cD          c(O            o             Do                          D

    Figure 10. Distribution of SAV in Upper Western Shore (Section 3).

                                    54

          3915.0 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,  "       " "  """ 'i"

          3900. 0

                  -  I

          3852.35    , ,         I                ,                 ,

    Figure 11. Distribution of SAV in Chester River (Section 4).

                                  55

                            5.  CENTRAL WESTERN SHORE

         There  was  no  SAV observed from the aerial photography in the Central

    Western Shore section in 1989 (Tables 4-6, Fig. 12)  which  was  similar  to

    1987.   Although  not  evident in the aerial photography, the Citizen survey

    reported SAV, primarily P. pectinatus, Z. palustris, and R. maritima, from

    a few sites in this section (maps 23, 30, 35).

                                 6. EASTERN BAY

         There were 834 hectares (2060 acres) of SAV identified from the Eastern

    Bay section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 13; Appendix C, Maps 32, 33, 36, and

    37) compared to 900 hectares reported in 1987. SAV occurred as very sparse

    (13.7% of the total) to sparse (72.1% of the total) beds throughout this

    section.   In  1989, SAV was identified as being particularly abundant along

    both shorelines in Crab Alley Bay, Prospect Bay, Parson Island, Piney Neck

    and the lower portion of the Miles River.  Little SAV was present from Punch

    Point on the Western shore of Eastern Bay to Pawpaw Cove on Tilghman Island,

    as  well  as in the Miles and Wye River.  R. maritima, P. pectinatus, and Z.

    palustris were reported by  the  Citizen  survey  (maps  32,  33,  and  37).

    However,  field  information  from  this  source  as well as the Charterboat

    Captains survey was very limited compared to previous years.

                                        56

        3907. 5"'   i i  i  ii    i      i     i  i            i " i

                                i11 i

        3900.0

        3852.5

        3845. 0                            ,t L   ' LI'

        3837.5 " " '  " '   " ' '    )'   " " ' '              u

    Figure 12.  Distribution of SAV in Central Western Shore  (Section 5).

                                  57

               3900.0                              " I          11

                    j d
                     IYII~a-"IIIIfit

               3852.5 5

                                                 f�I4(~~~

    U~~~~~~~~~~ -
                                       'd~~

              38~7.5    el  ti  ,,ii  i ,  I,, a            aaaaaa    O   I, ,l  .J ,i l .*-I I        I A-Allt, I
              3845. 0            U

                             C;  to~~~~~
                IIq         ''''-C"4                         % -
                                  co co

            Figure 13. Distribution of SAV in Eastern Bay (Section 6).

                                    58

                                7. CHOPTANK RIVER

        There were 862 hectares (2129 acres) of SAV observed in the Choptank

    River section in 1989 (Tables 4-6, Fig. 14; Appendix C, Maps 43, 44, 51, 52,

    and 62) compared to 356 hectares in 1987.   Most  of  the  SAV  occurred  in

    sparse (23.9% of the total) to moderate (63.8% of the total) beds in only a

    few areas. Most of the SAV was found in Harris Creek and Brannock Bay.

    Other areas were principally along the eastern side of Tilghman Island, the

    mouth of Chapel Creek, Cook Point Cove, Covey Creek, and Cators Cove.  There

    was little or no SAV in Broad Creek, Tred Avon River and much of the Little

    Choptank River.  Vegetation above Chapel Creek  in  the  Choptank  River  is

    sparse but not completely absent.

        Ground surveys by Citizen and Charterboat Captains surveys as well as

    scientists from the University of Maryland's Horn Point Environmental

    Laboratories, located three species of SAV in this section (maps 36, 43, 44,

    51, 52, 62), with R. maritima being the most prevalent. P. pectinatus and

    Z. palustris were observed in scattered locations.

                                        59

                3852. 5

                3845.''  VI

                3837.5              C:

                3830. 0

                       u)                o                                    0
                       cs                u     .  ,-;                         o
                       N"                                  o                  o
                       (D               (D0                                   C (D

    Figure 14. Distribution of SAV in Choptank River (Section 7).

                                       60

                                8. PATUXENT RIVER

        There were 3 hectares (7 acres) of SAV reported in the Patuxent River

    section in 1989 (Tables 4-6, Fig. 15) compared to 41 hectares reported in

    1987.   SAV  in  the  Patuxent  River  has always been at very low levels of

    abundance and has not exceeded 50 hectares in any year since the baywide

    effort began in 1978. There were sporadic sightings of four SAV species in

    the Patuxent River by the Citizens and Charterboat Captains surveys (maps

    49, 60, 61, 70, 71, 159). Those species reported from the lower sections of

    the river were: Z. palustris, P. pectinatus, M. spicatum, and  R.  maritima.

    Species  found  from  the  upper sections of the river were V. americana, C.

    demersum, P. pectinatus, N. guadaluDensis, E. canadensis, P. crispus, P.

    pusillus, and Najas spp.

                             9. MIDDLE WESTERN SHORE

        There were no SAV beds identified in the Middle Western Shore section

    in 1989 (Tables 4-6, Fig. 16) which was similar  to  1987.   There  were  no

    observations from ground surveys in 1989. Most of the area in this broad

    section of the bay is of high energy, exposed beaches that are unsuitable

    for SAV growth. We would therefore not expect large expanses of SAV, rather

    only small pockets of SAV in creeks or ponds that empty into the bay.

    Previous surveys have reported no more than 23 hectares of SAV.

                                       61

    3837.O5                       U         f,

    3822. 5

    3815. O

    Figure 15. Distribution of SAV in Patuxent River (Section 8).

                            62

              3845.0 ,,,UV �Y

               3815.0" �,_a[

               3807. 5

               80U0. 0               0~ol
                      L O                                     O            u0

    Figure 16.  Distribution of SAV in Middle Western Shore  (Section 9).

                               63

                             10. LOWER POTOMAC RIVER

        There were 616 hectares (1522 acres) of SAV identified in the Lower

    Potomac River section from the 1989 aerial photography (Tables 4-6; Fig. 17;

    Appendix C, Maps 56, 57, 65, 66, 67, and 161) compared to 458 hectares

    reported in 1987. All of the SAV, except for a small bed near the mouth of

    the St. Mary's river, occurred in the region near the Rt. 301 bridge, in

    Nanjemoy and Port Tobacco Creeks and in the shoreline adjacent to these two

    creeks. A majority of SAV beds were densely vegetated (71% in density class

    4). SAV beds were identified as fringing along the eastern side of Mathias

    Point  Neck  to  the  Rt.  301  bridge.  Several small beds were observed in

    Machodoc, Rosier, and Cuckhold Creeks, just below the Rt. 301 bridge.

         Citizen survey observations were made only in the St. Mary's River (map

    80) where R. maritima was the only species  present,  Herring  Creek  (Piney

    Point, map 79) where R. maritima and Z. marina were reported, and in Breton

    Bay (Leonardtown Quad, map 69) where E. canadensis and P.  perfoliatus  were

    observed.   U.  S.  Fish  and Wildlife and U.S.G.S. surveys were made in the

    Port Tobacco River and Nanjemoy Creek (maps 56 and 57).  They   reported  V.

    americana, M. spicatum, P. perfoliatus, C. demersum, P. pectinatus, Naias

    spp., P. pusillus, P. crispus, and R. maritima. The U.S.G.S. also reported

    P.  perfoliatus  near  the  301  bridge  on the Virginia side of the Potomac

    River.

                                        64

    3830.  0   IIIIIIIIIII '11111 1111      I i ,lll1111111 I   lilt lilt,,,,11111           ii        111  IIIIIIIIIIIIIllllll111111

                                                                                           I"I

    3807.5 -                                                                       ^F7

    3800.  \                                                             b

    3752. 5 "1rlllill1           1111111111 1111 11111 11       'I       11           111111111   11 ..III1II I Iii uIIIIIIiiiir
                                                                           I0ILL  IIIIIIIII    IIIIIIIIIIIIII "101I I0     It'

               3.
               0 i                             o                N               0  o                                             in
               _(                      O                        f)              .F r                             F1   ---        c

    Figure 17.  Distribution of SAV in Lower Potomac River  (Section 10)).

                                                           65

                             11. UPPER POTOMAC RIVER

        There were 1,998 hectares (4935 acres) of SAV mapped in the Upper

    Potomac River section (Tables 4-6; Fig. 18; Appendix C, Maps 34, 39, 40, 47,

    48, 55, 65, and 161), compared to 1,655 hectares reported in 1987, with

    68.6% being  densely  vegetated  (density  class  4).   Although  the  total

    abundance of SAV in this section had increased, many of the dense beds from

    the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, except the one in the middle of the river, to

    just below Piscataway Creek, declined. SAV in the Alexandria and Mount

    Vernon Quadrangles declined  21%  and  68%  from  1987,  respectively.   SAV

    increased  from  Quantico  to  Aquia  Creek,  along  both shores, with large

    increases in the Indian Head (17.6 to 184.0 hectares), Widewater (39.2 to

    466.6 hectares), King George (3.6 to 37.4 hectares), and Fort Belvoir (19.3

    to 63.5 hectares) quadrangles.   SAV  is  still  absent  from  Occoquan  and

    Belmont Bays and Aquia Creek.

        Numerous SAV species were reported by the Citizen survey (maps 39, 40,

    and 48) which included H. verticillta, M. spicatum, C. demersum, H. dubia,

    Najas minor, V. americana, P. pectinatus and P. pusillus.

        Results from the USGS survey of this region (maps 34, 39, 40, 48, and

    55), which was less quantitative than in previous years, were very similar

    to   that   reported   from   the  Citizen  survey,  but  also  included  N.

    euadiluDensis.

                                        66

                       3852.5  1              1,               IIIIliiI 11511  Il5

                       3845. 0

    �I

                       3837. 5

                       3830. 0

                       3822. 5

                       381 5. 0    fill  IJUL111111111-1 IIIIIIII  0
                              O             n             If            In             0

                      Figure 18.  Distribution of SAV in Upper Potomac River  (Section 11).

                                                      67

                            12. MIDDLE EASTERN SHORE

        There were 2,035 hectares (5026 acres) of SAV identified in the Middle

    Eastern Shore section (Tables 4-6; Fig. 19; Appendix C, Maps 63, 72, 73,

    74, 82, 83, 84, 85, 92, 93, 100, and 101) compared to 1,527 hectares

    reported in 1987. SAV beds, of which 64.5% were dense (class 4), 17.4 %

    moderate (class 3), and 16.5% sparse (class 2), were very abundant in: 1.

    the lower Honga River adjacent to Middle Hooper Island, Wroten Island, Parks

    Neck,  and  Asquith  Island; 2. between Barren Island and Meekins Neck-Upper

    Hooper Island; and 3. the lower Manokin and the Big and Little Annemessex

    Rivers.   Little SAV was observed in Fishing Bay, the Nanticoke and Wicomico

    Rivers.

        R. maritima was the predominant species found by the Citizen and

    Charterboat Captains surveys (maps 72, 73, 74, 75, 82, 83, 84, 85, 91, 92,

    100, and 101). Z. marina was reported from several locations on the Great

    Fox Island (map 100) and Crisfield (map 101) quadrangles.

                                       68

                 \ N
       3822. 5

      3815.0
      3807. 5                                L

      3800. 0

           *1                                 in yIr

      3752.5         ,,,,, i', IIII,,,II II I, IIIII 1.1lii ,,I 1,,,,, I, I Il I iI ,,,,, l,,,r
                         0           IA           0            U3          0
             N            o 0o u0                               n           I
             {D I0 ND                              (D U- 00

    Figure 19.  Distribution of SAV in Middle Eastern Shore  (Section 12).

                                     69

                           13. MID-BAY ISLAND COMPLEX

        There were 5,196 hectares (12,834 acres) of SAV mapped in the Mid-Bay

    Island Complex in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 20; Appendix C, Maps 83, 91, 92,

    99, 100, and 107), compared to 4,265 hectares reported in 1987. This

    section contains 21.2% of the SAV in the entire Chesapeake Bay. The broad,

    expansive shoal area between Tangier Island and Smith Island continued to be

    densely vegetated by both R. maritima and Z. marina, and was by far the

    largest bed in the Chesapeake Bay.  Eighty percent of the SAV was in density

    class 4.

        R. maritima was the species most often reported by the Charterboat

    Captains survey around these islands, with one report of Z. marina.

    Previous VIMS surveys had documented much more extensive occurrences of Z.

    marina.

                                       70

                3815.0 ,,                           '

                               I
                3807. 5

                3800. 0                        ..

                                   I             I
                3752. 5

                3745.0  """ "         "  '   ""

                       0                0                iUn
                       InO             tO               U     I          t/)
                       o                Co               In                '

    Figure 20. Distribution of SAV in Mid-Bay Island Complex (Section 13).

                                      71

                             14. LOWER EASTERN SHORE

        There were 4,718 hectares (11,653 acres) of SAV observed in the Lower

    Eastern Shore section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 21; Appendix C, Maps 100,

    101, 107, 108, 109, 113, 114, 119, 124, 133, 134, 142, and 143), compared to

    4,036 hectares reported in 1987. Large, dense beds (50% of the total SAV is

    in density class 4) of Z. marina and R. maritima (includes observations from

    both the Citizen and Charterboat Captains surveys, maps 100, 101, and 133)

    continue  to persist at the mouth of Cherrystone Inlet near Cape Charles, at

    the mouths of Hungars Creek, Mattawoman Creek, Occahannock Creek, Craddock

    Creek, Pungoteague Creek, Onancock Creek, and Chesconessex Creek, at the Big

    Marsh area near Chesconessex Creek, at Webb Island off the mouth of Deep

    Creek, and on the large shoal area on the eastern side of the Fox Islands.

    Those areas between the above  mentioned  creeks  were  sparsely  vegetated.

    This was due largely to the dynamic and exposed nature of these sites.

    There was very little SAV in the Pocomoke Sound area, and there was  no  SAV

    south of Old Plantation Creek just below Cape Charles.

                                        72

                           .
           3800.0       1,,,,,i,,1,,,,1                              ; .

           3 75 2 . 5

           3745. 0 1l

           3737. 5-       /

           3730. 0

           3722. 5

           3715.0              T

            3707.5       a

            3700. 0 tlllllllllll lllllllllll

                  n       O        U}       o       to      to t1

    Figure 21.  Distribution of SAV in Lower Eastern Shore  (Section 14).

                                 73

                                  15. REEDVILLE

        There were 738 hectares (1823 acres) of SAV identified in the Reedville

    section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 22; Appendix C, Maps 106 and 112),

    compared to 324 hectares reported in 1987.   SAV beds  consisted  of  sparse

    (19% in density class 2), moderate (47% in density class 3), and dense (21%

    in density class 4) beds of R. maritima and Z. marina (based on prior years

    scientific and citizens information since there was none for 1989). Most

    were found in Little Bay, Dymer Creek, Indian  Creek,  Ball  Creek,  Dameron

    Marsh, Fleeton Point and Taskmasker Creek.

                         16.  RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER COMPLEX

        There   were   669  hectares  (1652  acres)  of  SAV  observed  in  the

    Rappahannock River Complex in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 23; Appendix C, Maps

    110, 111, 116, 117, 118, and 123), compared to 208 hectares reported in

    1987, consisting mostly of sparse to moderate beds (77% in density classes 2

    and  3).   SAV  has continued to rapidly increase in this system since 1986,

    when only 18 hectares were mapped.  R. maritima continues to be the dominant

    species in both the Rappahannock and Piankatank Rivers. In particular,

    dense beds of R. maritima were again present in the Corrotoman River (this

    includes obervations from the Citizen and VIMS surveys). R. maritima was

    now present in  small  scattered  patches  along  the  north  shore  of  the

    Rappahannock River above Towles Point. Z. marina, once a dominant species

    in this section similar to the other sections in the  lower  bay,  but  rare

    since 1971, was now present in small patches in both rivers, a result of

                                       74

    'I
    I
                     3752 5               -AIII      INAy;'    I

                     3745. 0

    I)

                            In                           o0                              L
                                                         Ui t
                            CD                            cD                             (D

                         Figure 22. Distribution of SAV in Reedville (Section 15).

                                                       75

      3745. 0 I I I *us!I  I I I.    I I II I [ !

      7337. 5

      3730. 0

      3722. 5
             t'                o0                  n                  0

             o t                o                 N
                               Figure 23. Distri b ution off      in Rappahannock ~iv 0om (Sectiton  1

    Figure 23. Distribution of SAV in Rappahannock River Complex (Section 16).

             successful transplant efforts using both seeds and whole plants in a numiber

             of different areas since 1984 (VIMS, unpublished data). In the Rappahannock

             River, transplanted Z. marina is present adjacent to Parrott Island, off

             Sanders Cove just above the bridge, at the mouth of Carters Creek, Ball

             Point, off Wharton Grove, and adjacent to Towles Point. In the Piankatank

             River and Milford Haven area, transplanted Z. marina is present off Burton

    I        ~~Point, along the northeast side of Gwynn Island, and at the mouth  of  Healy

             and Hills Greek. Naturally occurring Z. marina is present on the west side

             of Gwynn Island off The Hole in the Wall and off the northeast tip of the
             island, and in the Willis Wharf area.

                                    17. NEW POINT COMFORT REGION

                  There were 344 hectares (850 acres) of SAV identified in the New Point

             Comfort Region in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 24; Appendix C, Map 132), compared

    I        ~~to  238  hectares  reported in 1987.  SAV consisted of dense beds (68% is in

             density class 4) of Z. marina and R. maritima (observations include those

             from the Citizen and VIMS surveys) between New Point Comfort and just north

    *        ~~of Horn Harbor.

             I                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~77

    3730.0 0                                |  |    a |   a

    3722.5   --             _____

           _�J                                0f

    3715.                 0

           I           - N

    Figure 24. Distribution of SAV in New Point Comfort Region (Section 17).

                                  78

                             18. MOBJACK BAY COMPLEX

        The Mobjack Bay Complex contained 1,589 hectares (3925 acres) of SAV in

    1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 25; Appendix C, Maps 122, 123, 131, and 132),

    compared to 1,227 hectares reported in 1987. SAV beds, consisting of Z.

    marina and R. maritima (observations include those from the Citizen and VIMS

    surveys),  were  most abundant along the entire shoreline of the Mobjack Bay

    as well as in three of four  tributary  rivers:   Severn,  Ware  and  North.

    Several small beds of R. maritima were observed within the East River. The

    Mobjack Bay area continued to harbor some of the more extensive SAV beds on

    the western shore of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Sixty-four percent of the

    SAV in this section is in density class 4.

                                 19. YORK RIVER

        There were 679 hectares (1677 acres) of SAV observed in the York  River

    section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 26; Appendix C, Maps 130, 131, 132, 139,

    and 140), compared to 608 hectares reported in 1987. Dense SAV beds (80% of

    the total in this section is in density class 4), consisting of both Z.

    marina and R. maritima (observations include those from the Citizen and VIMS

    surveys), were located principally along the north shore from Gloucester

    Point to the mouth of the river. The only beds present along the south

    shore  were  located  on  the  north side of Goodwin Islands.  SAV beds were

    absent upstream of Gloucester Point on the north shore except for a small

    area of Z. marina (less than 0.5 hectares) adjacent to Big Mumfort Island.

    This area was planted from seeds broadcast in the fall, 1988 (VIMS,

                                       79

               3730. 0
                      L

                       I
                       L L
                       L
                                    L~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~z ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~4
                       L
    *                   ~~ ~~~~L

                       L

               3722. 5A0
                       L

                       I  L

                       L
                       L                                                              -J
    I~~~~~~~

    I~~~~~~~

    I~~~ -I~~l   C                                    A'       ~      ~      �
    I~~~~~~~

    *~~~~~~~

                       L

               3715. 0

                      o                               nr                              (A
                              M~~~~~~ -r

               Figure 25. Distribution of SAV in Mobjack Bay Complex  (Section 18).

                                               80

    3722.5           ,                I,.I III

                         ,I,  I

    3715. 0
               ~~~~ v--- !\i

    3707.5                         I I I5  '   I    I II                  f N       -

          to                      o                        Co                     Co
          ~D                      cD                      cD                      (SD

        Figure 26. Distribution of SAV in York River  (Section 19).

                                        81

    unpublished  data).   Small  patches of Z. marina (approximately 1 -2m2) are

    present just below the Naval Weapons Station on the south shore. These were

    transplanted in the fall of 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988 (VIMS, unpublished

    data) and have persisted through 1989. R. maritima is also present in this

    transplant area, but unlike Z. marina, has reestablished naturally. The SAV

    beds planted at Gloucester Point in 1982 and 1983, as well  as  the  smaller

    areas planted immediately adjacent to these larger areas from 1984 through

    1988, continue to thrive in 1989, similar to many naturally expanding beds

    along the north shore.

                             20. LOWER WESTERN SHORE

        There  were  1,670  hectares  (4125  acres)  of SAV mapped in the lower

    Western Shore section in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 27; Appendix C, Maps 140,

    141,  147, and 152), compared to 1,322 hectares reported in 1987.  SAV beds,

    consisting of Z. marina and R. maritima (including observations from the

    Citizen and VIMS surveys), remained as dense beds (60% of the total is in

    density class 4) in Broad Bay, Back River, the mouth of Poquoson River off

    Pasture and Hunts Neck, Drum Island Flats, adjacent to Crab Neck just south

    of Goodwin Island, and on the south side of  Goodwin  Island.   No  SAV  was

    present in the southwest and northwest branches of Back River, or in the

    Poquoson River, Chisman Creek and Back Creek.

                                        82

    3715.0-, """'''''''''"'                                     " """

    3707.  -                     v ,             i"                \-
           a i

           I15  I                 I          II II 1,

    3652.5 I                                  It I I
              o           Us              o                U               o
          :o              4: u:           '                           -    0
          rN              l                -N              N               N

     Figure 27. Distribution of SAV in Lower Western Shore  (Section 20).

                                  83

                                 21.  JAMES RIVER

         The  mainstem  James  River  and  tributaries  emptying  into the James

    remained, for the most part, unvegetated in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 28;

    Appendix  C,  Map  147).   The  only apparent SAV bed in the mainstem of the

    lower James River was located at the mouth of Hampton Creek adjacent to the

    Veterns  Hospital.   This  small,  3.8  hectare (9 acre) dense bed consisted

    predominantly of Z. marina.

         A small section of the Chickahominy that was identified as having SAV

    in 1989 was photographed. It included Cordon and Nettles Creek, and Nayses

    Bay.   The  photography showed SAV beds as occurring in similar locations to

    previous aerial surveys, indicating that these beds appear to be relatively

    stable.     However,  SAV  beds  were  not  mapped because the observed beds

    occurred in small creeks and could only have been represented by a thin line

    on  a 1:24000 scale topographic quadrangle.  Tracing and digitizing a single

    line rather than a polygon shaped bed would have resulted in large errors,

    thereby   compromising   our  quality  control  standards. Citizen  survey

    information  from  the  Brandon  quadrangle  indicated  fringing  SAV   beds

    consisting of N. auadaluDensis, C. demersum and Chara an. along Parsons

    Creek in Sunken Marsh by  the  Chickahominy  main  stem.   SAV  species  are

    probably distributed throughout the Chickahominy River system, occupying the

    fringes of many tidal creeks.

                                        84

    3730. 0

    3722. 3 7

    3715.0          X

    3707.5:

    3645.0   :

    3637. 5
            a   t o I            a       n'     0                      Un  0  ,. to
          c  I n to t                   C       In             o       n c1           N
          c. --    0    0    t    ,~ t           n 0o  ct  o-   0o
          N      1'      N       N      tD      {D cO          CD      (D     EDO      O

             Figure 28. Distribution of SAV in James River  (Section 21).

                                       85

                                 CHINCOTEAGUE BAY

        There were 2,311 hectares 5708 acres) of SAV identified in Chincoteague

    Bay in 1989 (Tables 4-6; Fig. 29; Appendix C, Maps 167, 168, 170, 172, 173,

    and 175) compared to 2310 hectares reported In 1987. Beds were mostly of

    moderate (74% of the total) to dense (21% of the total) coverage with the

    Citizen  and  Charterboat  Captains  surveys  finding  both Z. marina and R.

    maritima throughout the bay (maps 167, 168, 170, 172, and 173). All of the

    SAV  continues  to  be  present  on  the eastern side of the bay adjacent to

    Assateague Island  in  water  depths  of  less  than  1 meter  (MLW).   The

    vegetation was concentrated in four relatively distinct areas identical to

    that reported in the 1986 and 1987 surveys.  They were located west  of  the

    northern end of Chincoteague Island, and west of West Bay, Green Run Bay,

    and the Tingles Island area. Seven percent of the total bottom of this

    region (32,536 hectares) supports SAV.

                                        86

    I                                                                    liar~~~~~~~

           ;I   IS'                                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~15'

                                                   ~~��~~~t~~i~~-1 T~1. A A T It' 0 CL'A A

         38'                                                                             38

                     75' 30'                         75 1s

                   Figure 29. Distribution of SAV in Chincoteague Bay.

                                                       87

                                    SECTION 5

                                 LITERATURE CITED

    Anderson, R. R. and  R.  T.  Macomber.   1980.   Distribution  of  submersed

        vascular  plants  Chesapeake  Bay,  Maryland.  U.S. EPA.  Final Report.

         Chesapeake Bay Program.  Grant No. R805970.  126 pp.

    Godfrey,  R.  K.  and  J.  W.  Wooten.  1981.  Aquatic and Wetland Plants of

         Southeastern United States:  Dicotyledons.  The University  of  Georgia

         Press, Athens. 933 pp.

    Godfrey, R. K. and J. W. Wooten.   1979.   Aquatic  and  Wetland  Plants  of

         Southeastern United States:  Monocotyledons.  The University of Georgia

         Press, Athens. 712 pp.

    Harvill, A. M. Jr., C. E. Stevens and D. M. E. Ware. 1977. Atlas of the

        Virginia  Flora:   Part  I,   Pteridophytes   through   Monocotyledons.

        Virginia Botanical Associates, Farmville.  59 pp.

    Harvill, A. M. Jr., T. R. Bradley and C. E. Stevens.  1981.   Atlas  of  the

        Virginia Flora: Part II, Dicotyledons. Virginia Botanical Associates,

         Farmville. 148 pp.

    Kartesz,  J.  T.  and  R.  Kartesz.  1980.   A  Synonymized Checklist of the

        Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland: Volume II,

         The  Biota  of North America.   The University of North Carolina Press,

         Chapel Hill.  498 pp.

    Orth, R. J. and K. A. Moore. 1981. Submerged aquatic vegetation in the

         Chesapeake Bay:  past, present and future.  pp.  271-283.   In:   Proc.

        46th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conf. Wildlife

        Manage. Inst., Wash., D.C.

                                        88

    Orth, R. J. and K. A. Moore. 1982. The biology and propagation of Zostera

        marina, eelgrass, in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia.   U.S.  EPA.   Final

        Report Chesapeake Bay Program. Grant No. R805953. 187 pp.

    Orth, R. J. and K. A.  Moore.   1983.   Chesapeake  Bay:   an  unprecedented

        decline in submerged aquatic vegetation. Sci. 222:51-53.

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