Photo by John Surrick | www.cbf.org
By Lisa Caruso | The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Dead Zone Report Issued as Leaders Recommit to Restored Bay
Maryland 2025 - Just as the region’s leaders commit to a Chesapeake Bay restoration plan, a new report shows the Chesapeake Bay’s “dead zone” remained at average levels in 2025. Every year, this low-oxygen area threatens to smother underwater life like fish, crabs, and oysters that are essential to the region’s culture and economy.
The Chesapeake Bay Dead Zone Report Card was released last week by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Dead zones form every summer in parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers, creating areas where oxygen levels in the water drop so low that aquatic life can’t survive. The main cause is out-of-control algae growth fed by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Agal blooms cloud the water and deplete oxygen levels when they die and decompose.
The size and duration of the dead zone changes from year to year, often due to weather. Heavy rain washes more pollution into the Bay and combined with hot summer temperatures create the perfect conditions for explosive algae growth. Rising temperatures due to climate change makes the problem worse because warm water holds less oxygen. The best way to reduce dead zones is to prevent excess nitrogen and phosphorus from flowing into the Bay.
The dead zone report comes just after federal and state leaders last week met in person and agreed to a Chesapeake Bay restoration plan for the next 15 years. This update to the Chesapeake Bay agreement reaffirmed commitments by the states and federal government to meet legally binding commitments to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution.
At last week’s meeting, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser all emphasized their support for a healthier Chesapeake Bay.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Vice President for Programs Alison Hooper Prost issued the following statement:
“The dead zone is an existential threat to life in the Chesapeake Bay. With climate change intensifying, now is the time to ramp up work to stop pollution from flowing into rivers and the Bay.
“Fortunately, governors from across the region just agreed to a 15-year Bay restoration plan. This agreement reinforces legal commitments to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that feeds life-smothering dead zones. Backed by decades of experience and the latest science as a guide, there’s real hope for a restored Bay.
“The next step is clear. Now the states, the District of Columbia, and federal government must deliver the policies and investments needed to reduce pollution, restore habitats, and leave a healthier Chesapeake Bay for future generations.”
