South River Receives Grade of 34 in Latest Scorecard
The South River, a Chesapeake tributary located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, received an overall score of 34, down from 39 in the Federation's 2007 Scorecard.
March 2008 -- The overall health of the South River declined in 2007, according to the South River Federation's 2008 South River Scorecard, an annual report on the health of the river.
The South River, a Chesapeake tributary located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, received an overall score of 34, down from 39 in the Federation's 2007 Scorecard. The Federation cites impervious surfaces -- roads, rooftops, parking lots and other hardened areas -- as the “key enemy” of the South River because they funnel pollutants into the river and its creeks.
The river's overall grade is derived from ten parameters that are each given a score between zero and 10. Parameters include water clarity, dissolved oxygen, underwater grasses, shorelines and enforcement. An overall grade of 100 would indicate a healthy, restored river with conditions similar to those in the 1950s.
The South River Scorecard follows similar reports on the health of individual Bay tributaries, including the Lynnhaven, Magothy and Potomac rivers.
Fore more information about the South River, including the full South River Scorecard, volunteer opportunities and other ways residents can help, visit the South River Federation's website.