Water Issues and Restoration

Clean water is one of the Chesapeake Bay region’s most important resources. The Bay watershed’s many freshwater rivers and streams provide drinking water for people and habitats for animals and plants.

But many of those same waterways suffer from reduced water quality from a variety of causes — like excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Erosion. Harmful algal blooms. Heavy metals and other toxins from human activities.

What Extension Can Do For You

Maryland Sea Grant Extension’s specialists work with local governments, community groups, and citizens to help improve water quality on the local level and in the Bay. Click on the links below to learn more about our projects regarding watershed restoration and stormwater management ponds.

Watershed Restoration: Managing Stormwater, Restoring Natural Habitats

• Our watershed restoration specialists help Marylanders install green design projects — like stream restoration projects and rain gardens — that are based on sound practices.
• These measures can manage the flow of stormwater locally by soaking up water (to limit flooding) and treating it (to remove pollutants).
• We also work to help groups and communities restore natural habitats that can help to improve water quality Bay-wide. Those include wetlands, streams, and forest buffers, which are trees planted along a waterway.
• Our specialists assist Watershed Stewards Academies around Maryland to train volunteers to lead and find funding for community-based watershed restoration projects.
• We help communities and individuals find technical assistance and funding to support their watershed restoration activities. For more information on sources of funding for water quality improvement projects, check out our Maryland Watershed Restoration Assistance Directory.

For more information, contact the watershed restoration specialist in your region and learn more about their work.

Water Quality Improvement: Native Plants, Stormwater Management

• We offer advice on using native plants to control algae and retain excess nutrients in stormwater and aquaculture ponds.
• We offer guidance on maintaining effective and attractive stormwater management ponds.