Chesapeake Progress

Helping federal, public and internal oversight groups track the Chesapeake Bay Program's progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

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Our Commitment

The Chesapeake Bay Program is committed to tracking our progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The accurate, up-to-date and accessible information found here helps oversight groups hold us accountable for our work. We envision abundant life, clean water, conserved lands and a diverse range of citizens and stakeholders who will steward an environmentally and economically sustainable watershed.

Our Latest Progress

Recently released data
A man holding a fishing pole and a large fish.

Tidal Areas Impaired by Toxic Contaminants Plateau

The trend between 2010 and 2018 was an increase in contaminated segments, with a short-term decrease in 2020, but 2022's data shows no change from 2022.

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View of submerged aquatic grasses from above the surface of the water.

Increase in Submerged Aquatic Grasses

While mapped acres of SAV in 2023 exceeded 2022's, they remain far from meeting the 2025 target.

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A human hand holding a blue crab

Blue Crab Population Remains Sustainable

Despite the population of female blue crabs decreasing 12.5%, it is still well above the threshold for sustainability.

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Outcome Status Updates

The recent progress and attainability outlook for these outcomes were prepared for the June 2024 Quarterly Progress Meeting.

The recent progress and long-term outlook status for each Outcome as well as when each status was last updated, grouped by Goal.
Vital Habitats
Forest Buffers Outcome
Recent progress increase. Updated June 2024
Outlook offCourse. Updated June 2024
Tree Canopy Outcome
Recent progress increase. Updated June 2024
Outlook offCourse. Updated June 2024

Our Funding

$2.2 billion was invested by federal agencies for environmental restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in fiscal 2023. Learn more about our funding