Summary of suspended-sediment data for streams draining the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, water years 1952-2002

Abstract

U.S. Geological Survey suspended-sediment data from 1952 to 2002 from selected stream-gaging stations draining the nontidal parts of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed were summarized to identify areas in the Watershed with high suspended-sediment loads, yields, and concentrations. The suspended-sediment load data were separated into two periods, 1952periods, -1984periods, and 1985periods, -2001periods, . In 1985, , the Chesapeake Bay Program began recommending sediment regulations, so 1985 represents an important break in the data. The instantaneous suspended-sediment concentration data were examined for the period 1985-2002.