July Riverkeeper Report

I had a classic Annapolis weekend on the books this week. A group of friends and their families from out of town were coming to stay. The plan was I’m sure the same as many others’ plans- to swim and play. Eat crabs, go for a boat ride or three, and let our young kids jump off the bow. As Riverkeeper of the South, West and Rhode, the rivers I grew up swimming on, raising my kids on the river is important to me. Unfortunately, the reality of summer on the Chesapeake has changed our plans. 

Arundel Rivers has a robust water monitoring program for our rivers, creeks, and popular swimming locations. We measure nutrients, algae, oxygen, clarity, and bacteria among other parameters. While the recent drought may actually benefit our local water quality, we still are facing concerning conditions right now on the rivers. This past monitoring run we observed evidence of an active algal bloom on multiple tributaries on the South River–discolored water and high oxygen levels at the surface, which can indicate a lot of phytoplankton or algae that are photosynthesizing and putting off oxygen. While that may sound like a good thing, it’s a sign of an unbalanced system and some algae species can be harmful to both humans and aquatic life. 

We immediately put the drone up for a better visual and collected samples for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)to take a look. DNR found multiple species of algae, including some that are found in red tides and brown tides. Thankfully, analysis showed levels of those species below concentrations that may be harmful to human health.

On top of this disheartening news, our bacteria monitoring program at swimming beaches is also highlighting concerns. Normally, we see spikes in bacteria following heavy rain events, when fecal bacteria can runoff into nearby waterways. Given the dry summer we’re having, we should have relatively stable bacteria results. Unfortunately, we’re still seeing high counts at a number of sites around the watershed. While this could be due to some things out of our control, such as active, frequently-pooping geese loving a local beach, this could also indicate a larger problem- such as nearby failing septic systems or waste water contamination. 

Even though I work in water quality for a living, this past week was a reality check. Our plans this weekend have changed. We’ll still cruise the rivers and pick crabs, but swimming in certain areas will be off the table. 

How can you make educated swimming decisions? When in doubt, stay out. If the water looks discolored, looks or smells different than it should, stay out. If you have an open cut or wound, stay out- especially now during the warmer saltier conditions where potentially harmful bacteria like vibrio can thrive. Finally, check the resources available to you. Arundel Rivers monitors for bacteria every Thursday during the summer, posting results every Friday afternoon. Check websites such as theswimguide.org, Maryland Healthy Beaches, Anne Arundel county water quality, and Anne Arundel Community College Operation Clearwater to see if they have bacteria info for your local swimming hole. 

It’s unfortunate that this is our reality during summer on the Bay. The good news is that many of the causes of these concerning conditions are because of our own actions. That means we can improve them! Eliminate your lawn fertilizer– it can increase algal growth. Maintain your septic systems–a non-functioning system can contribute to nutrient and fecal contamination. Pick up after your pet–especially on beaches or waterfront lawns. 

We live in a special and unique place, but we need to put in the work to maintain its health and to be able to enjoy it.

Hope to see you on the river soon,

Elle Bassett

South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper