Susquehanna River Report Shows 
Decreasing Nutrient and Sediment Loads

A recent Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) report showed a decrease in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads being transported from the Susquehanna River to the Chesapeake Bay during 2002.

SRBC’s findings are based on the samples collected in 2002. The data collected were compared with baseline data established by SRBC in a 5- year study from 1985 to 1989, and with long-term means. SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz said, “While the trends do show an overall reduction in nutrient and sediment loads throughout the basin, the levels can vary from year-to-year because there is a strong correlation between river flows to nutrient and sediment loads and yields. The reductions seen at some of the sampling sites in 2002 reflect the lower flows experienced from the multi- year drought in 2001 through 2002.” SRBC expects the final annual loads for 2003 to be higher than in 2002, given the above normal river flows experienced throughout 2003. But, the effect the higher 2003 loads will have on long-term trends is to be determined. The full technical report (Publication No. 231) is available on SRBC’s web site at http://www.srbc.net/techreport225.htm. Report CD-ROMs and hard copies are available from SRBC, by calling 717-238-0423 or e-mailing a request to srbc@srbc.net.