Bay Watershed

The Bay Watershed is the area of land that drains rain and other water into the Chesapeake Bay. It includes rivers, streams, and smaller creeks that carry water from the land to the bay. This watershed spans parts of six states and involves many communities, farms, forests, and urban areas. The health of the bay depends on how well we manage and protect the land within this watershed, as pollution from runoff, agriculture, and development can harm water quality, aquatic life, and overall ecosystems. Effective stewardship of the watershed is essential to maintaining the bay's ecological resilience.