The first comprehensive Nanticoke River Report Card shows good news, giving overall health of the river a “B-minus.” More than thirty river enthusiasts - including Delaware environmental officials, political leaders and environmental advocates - joined together in Seaford to celebrate the health of the river while also noting the region must remain vigilant to protect this resource for future generations.
The report card, based on data collected by volunteer Nanticoke Creekwatchers, is designed to help local residents better understand the health of the Nanticoke River. From April through November, more than 30 volunteers monitor water quality at 37 sites across the 725,000-acre watershed. The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance teamed up with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Integration and Application Network to assess how the Nanticoke “measured up” in comparison to other rivers feeding into the Chesapeake Bay.
“The Nanticoke River report card shows that we can achieve healthy waterways in the Chesapeake Bay's tributaries,” said UMCES Vice President for Science Application Dr. Bill Dennison. “It also shows that we must remain vigilant about managing the watershed to avoid degrading this magnificent river.”
But the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance reminds watershed residents that the region needs to take into account the health of the river as it considers the future of the area. “The story doesn’t end here, this is really the beginning,” says NWA’s Megan Ward . “We can be proud of the current state of the Nanticoke River, but future efforts must be targeted to reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into the river. The Alliance will continue to monitor its health and use this information to identify critical projects, but we need everyone’s help to protect the beautiful, iconic river that exists today. It’s pretty inspiring that we have this unique opportunity to act preemptively, rather than trying to bring something back from the brink.”
The Nanticoke River report card is one of ten regional ecosystem health report cards annually produced by the UMCES Integration and Application Network through its Chesapeake EcoCheck program.
