Photo by Rachel Hegarty/Rachel E.H. Photography
The Potomac River received a B on its latest report card from the Potomac Conservancy, the river's highest grade ever.
The 2018 State of the River report from the Potomac Conservancy, an advocacy organization fighting against pollution and for the health of area waterways, was released this week. The Potomac River received a grade of D in 2011 and has made steady positive progress in its "grades" ever since.
"For the first time in generations, we are within reach of enjoying a healthy, thriving Potomac River. A river clean enough for anglers to eat their catch and safe enough for children to wade in. A river that supports verdant forests and abundant wildlife. Simply put, a river our hometown can take pride in," according to the report card's introduction by Potomac Conservancy President Hedrick Belin.
The river is more popular than ever for recreation and local wildlife is returning to the river and its shoreline.
What's Preventing an 'A' Grade?
The elements weighing down the river's grade include underwater grasses, which have been slow to recover, and forested buffer areas, where more trees are needed.
Polluted runoff also continues to increase. "Pollution impairs the health of the Potomac River and the lands and waters draining into it. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment are the top pollutants harming aquatic life, degrading habitat, and making local waterways unsafe," according to the report card.
The presence of blue catfish, flathead catfish and northern snakehead fish continue to pose a problem, as well.
Read the complete Potomac Conservancy 2018 State of the Nation's River report card here.
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