In other words, Chesapeake Bay oyster reefs had been a very efficient, natural, built-in filtering system which some now estimate cleared all bay waters in less than a week. Now, without it, it takes almost a year to filter the same volume. Simultaneously, an expanding population, accustomed to a modern lifestyle has increased the amount of both sedimentation and nutrients entering the bay from its tributaries and shoreline. Nutrients especially present a problem since the algae in the bay thrive on them. Algal blooms are routine.
Sunlight is cut off.
The submerged aquatic vegetaion is dying extensively, to the detriment of all of the wildlife reliant upon it. The Susquehanna River, the bay's largest tributary, arises in Cooperstown, New York and flows for over 200 miles before continuing into Pennsylvania and ultimately to the bay. New York State is independently looking for ways in which to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients its waters carry into the Chesapeake Bay. This is commendable but takes time and splinters activity. Specifically targeting excess nutrients, it is achieving steady, albeit minimal gains.