Browse History: Bay Health Index (2007)
Indicator Icon Bay Health Index

The Bay Health Index combines the Water Quality Index and the Biotic Index into a single overarching score. This score therefore evenly combines all six indicators (chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, bay grasses, Benthic IBI, and Phytoplankton IBI) into an overall assessment of Chesapeake Bay habitat health.

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Index Map

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This map shows the 2007 Bay Health Index scores for each of the 15 regions. These scores are used to provide report card grades (A to F) for each of the regions. Most regions of the Bay fell into one of two health grades; poor or moderate, with the exception of the Upper Western Shore, which had a moderate–good score. Bay Health Index scores increased in 8 regions in 2007 compared to 2006 and decreased in 6 (incomplete monitoring data available for the Elizabeth River).

Creating this map
This map shows the 2007 Bay Health Index scores for each the 15 reporting regions. The Bay Health Index for each reporting region is the average of the Water Quality Index and the Biotic Index scores.

Ranking

Score Legend
 Score (%)
 0               20               40               60               80              100
  
Upper Western Shore  
Upper Bay  
Lower Bay  
James River  
Overall Bay  
Potomac River  
Choptank River  
Mid Bay  
Rappahannock River  
Lower Eastern Shore (Tangier)  
Upper Eastern Shore  
Patapsco and Back Rivers  
York River  
Elizabeth River  
Lower Western Shore (MD)  
Patuxent River  

This figure ranks each region from best to worst for the Bay Health Index scores for 2007. The Upper Western Shore and Upper Bay Regions had the highest score because of the high Water Quality Index and Biotic Index scores. Most regions received a poor Bay Health Index score, with the exception of the Upper Bay, James River, and Lower Bay regions which scored a moderate rating. Bay Heath Index scores increased in 8 regions in 2007 compared to 2006 and decreased in 6, (incomplete monitoring data available for the Elizabeth River).


Excel Spreadsheet

Trends Graph

This graph is dynamic, you can check and uncheck regions ( checkboxes in legend), select year range ( click and drag), and export as an image (right click).

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