NOAA Launches Susquehanna River “Smart Buoy”
The latest CBIBS buoy has a sensor that will help scientists monitor nutrient pollution flowing from the Susquehanna River into the Bay. Image courtesy: NOAA
September 2008 -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has launched its fifth “smart buoy” along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to track air and water conditions at the mouth of the Susquehanna River.
U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger and NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher were on hand for the buoy deployment off Concord Point near Havre de Grace, Maryland.
In addition to collecting data on weather and water quality, the latest buoy in the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) has a sensor that will help scientists monitor nutrient pollution flowing from the Susquehanna River into the Bay. These measurements, as well as historical and recreational information about the area, can be accessed at www.buoybay.org or 1-877-BUOY-BAY.
Through the CBIBS program, NOAA is also developing educational materials to help teachers use data from the buoys to teach students about science.
Other CBIBS buoys are located on the Patapsco and Potomac rivers in Maryland and the James and Rappahannock rivers in Virginia. A sixth CBIBS buoy will be launched in late September on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia.
Visit www.buoybay.org for more information about the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System.