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| Home > Ask the Bay Experts | Printer-friendly format | ||
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| Ask The Bay Experts | |||
 what are some of the problems of the Chesapeake Bay? The main problems of the Chesapeake Bay are a result of stormwater runoff. When it rains, the rainwater flows over the land and carries whatever pollutants it finds - fertilizers, pet waste, pesticides, car oil, etc. - with it into a stream, river, or Bay.
When land is paved or covered in houses, it is called an "impervious" surface, meaning the stormwater can't sink into the ground to be filtered by plants and soil. Instead, water runs off these hard impervious surfaces and is funneled directly into the closest street storm drain. These street drains empty into streams, without being filtered or treated. There's so much extra water flowing off from paved surfaces and roofs that once it finally gushes into the streams it causes bank erosion and stream sedimentation. People are trying to slow the flow of stormwater by installing rain gardens and rain barrels at their homes. Developments now must install storm water ponds to catch and slow their stormwater runoff. Other options include green roofs and pervious pavers to help catch and filter more stormwater. If you have a question about the Bay or if your question is not listed in our archive, please submit your question to our panel of Chesapeake Bay experts. More Recent Questions:
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