Choptank River Watershed Restoration

A variety of restoration projects are ongoing in the Choptank River watershed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), its partners, and citizens groups.

Choptank River Watershed Facts:

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the watershed includes the Choptank and Little Choptank Rivers.

The Choptank River is the longest river on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The river contains critical habitat for spawning striped bass and river herring, and historically abundant oysters.

Residents of the watershed were traditionally employed in agriculture or commercial fishing.

The historical loss of wetlands in the upper Choptank River subwatershed is estimated to be 47,400 acres – approximately 11% of the total watershed area.

Choptank River Watershed restoration efforts include:

Mapping and characterize tidal in-water and near shore habitats

Exploring removal of fish blockages

Identifying priority wetlands restoration sites

Demonstrating the benefits of oyster reef ecosystem services

Applying NOAA science to inform better management

Engaging coastal communities to ensure their increased involvement in and ownership of the protection and restoration of coastal habitats.

 

For more information, visit:

http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/habitatblueprint/choptank.html

source: NOAA