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#           Sediment dynamics and implications for management: State of the science from long‐term research in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA      

      June 21, 2020    

This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge of sediment dynamics using insights from long‐term research conducted in the watershed draining to the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S., to inform management actions to restore the estuary and its watershed. The sediment dynamics of the Chesapeake are typical of many impaired watersheds and estuaries around the world, and this synthesis is intended to be relevant and transferable to other sediment‐impaired systems. The watershed's sediment sources, transport, delivery, and impacts are discussed with implications for effectively implementing best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate sediment issues. This synthesis revealed three key issues to consider when planning actions to reduce sediment loading: Scale, time, and land use. Geology and historical land use generated a template that current land use and climate, in addition to management, are acting upon to control sediment delivery. Important sediment sources in the Chesapeake include the Piedmont physiographic region, urban, and agricultural land use, and streambank erosion of headwater streams, whereas floodplain trapping is important along larger streams and rivers. Implementation of BMPs is widespread and is predicted to lead to decreased sediment loading; however, reworking of legacy sediment stored in stream valleys, with potentially long residence times in storage, can delay and complicate detection of the effects of BMPs on sediment loads. In conclusion, the improved understanding of sediment sources, storage areas, and transport lag times reviewed here can help target choices of BMP types and locations to better manage sediment problems—for both local streams and receiving waters.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

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#### Gregory Noe

##### Research Ecologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

gnoe@usgs.gov

703-648-5826

#### Matthew J Cashman, Ph.D.

##### Physical Scientist

Water Resources Mission Area

mcashman@usgs.gov

443-498-5511

#### Katherine Skalak

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

kskalak@usgs.gov

703-648-5435

#### Allen C Gellis, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

agellis@usgs.gov

443-498-5581

#### Kristina Hopkins

##### Research Physical Scientist

South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

khopkins@usgs.gov

919-571-4042

#### Douglas L. Moyer

##### Associate Director for Studies

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

dlmoyer@usgs.gov

804-261-2634

#### James Webber

##### Hydrologist

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

jwebber@usgs.gov

804-261-2621

#### Adam Benthem

##### National Map Liaison CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

NGP User Engagement Office

abenthem@usgs.gov

603-226-7843

#### Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

kmaloney@usgs.gov

304-724-4579

#### John Brakebill

##### Deputy Director, Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division

Water Resources Mission Area

##### Chief, Modeling Support and Coordination Branch (acting)

Water Resources Mission Area

jwbrakeb@usgs.gov

443-498-5557

#### Andrew Sekellick

##### Physical Scientist

Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

ajsekell@usgs.gov

443-498-5580

#### Gary Shenk

##### Hydrologist

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

gshenk@usgs.gov

#### Jeni Keisman, Ph.D.

##### Chief, Hydrologic Impacts Branch

Water Resources Mission Area

jkeisman@usgs.gov

#### Cliff Hupp

##### Scientist Emeritus

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

crhupp@usgs.gov

703-648-5207

## Related Content

#### Gregory Noe

##### Research Ecologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

gnoe@usgs.gov

703-648-5826

#### Matthew J Cashman, Ph.D.

##### Physical Scientist

Water Resources Mission Area

mcashman@usgs.gov

443-498-5511

#### Katherine Skalak

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

kskalak@usgs.gov

703-648-5435

#### Allen C Gellis, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

agellis@usgs.gov

443-498-5581

#### Kristina Hopkins

##### Research Physical Scientist

South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

khopkins@usgs.gov

919-571-4042

#### Douglas L. Moyer

##### Associate Director for Studies

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

dlmoyer@usgs.gov

804-261-2634

#### James Webber

##### Hydrologist

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

jwebber@usgs.gov

804-261-2621

#### Adam Benthem

##### National Map Liaison CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

NGP User Engagement Office

abenthem@usgs.gov

603-226-7843

#### Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

kmaloney@usgs.gov

304-724-4579

#### John Brakebill

##### Deputy Director, Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division

Water Resources Mission Area

##### Chief, Modeling Support and Coordination Branch (acting)

Water Resources Mission Area

jwbrakeb@usgs.gov

443-498-5557

#### Andrew Sekellick

##### Physical Scientist

Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

ajsekell@usgs.gov

443-498-5580

#### Gary Shenk

##### Hydrologist

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

gshenk@usgs.gov

#### Jeni Keisman, Ph.D.

##### Chief, Hydrologic Impacts Branch

Water Resources Mission Area

jkeisman@usgs.gov

#### Cliff Hupp

##### Scientist Emeritus

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

crhupp@usgs.gov

703-648-5207

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### Contact

####               Florence Bascom Geoscience Center          

12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, VA20192United States

703-648-5953

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