125 Years of Human Impact on The Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

1950

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was built. This was a huge help to the people who had to travel to and from the Eastern Shore. (Negative)

Hypoxic Water

1955

In the bay, the volume of hypoxic water increased quickly. Hypoxic water has dissolved oxygen in it which causes excess nutrients.
(Negative)

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

1960

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel opens and many new interstates were completed.
(Negative)

Clean Air Act

1965

Many peoples' choice of transportation was a personal car starting in 1965. During this time The Chesapeake Bay Foundation was formed. The Clean Air Act was passed as well.
(Negative, Positive)

Runoff and Forest Cover

1970

The forest cover declined due to growth of population and runoff from Hurricane Agnes destroyed underwater grass beds.
(Negative)

Clean Water Act

1975

The Clean Water Act established the regulation discharges of pollutants into the water.
(Positive)

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

1980

This program teaches volunteers how to monitor water quality.
(Positive)

Laundry Detergent

1985

Maryland banned phosphate-containing detergent to help reduce the amount of phosphorous flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.
(Positive)

Clean Vessel Act

1990

This act established a program to fund the construction of pump-out stations and marinas across the watershed to create an alternative to dispose sewage.
(Positive)

Poplar Island

1995

Poplar Island was restored with sand and sediment dredged up from the bottom of the bay by federal, state, and private partners.
(Negative)