Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show the volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen—was generally near or below average in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in 2024. For the year, hypoxia volumes were larger than average in May and early June, but declined to smaller than average volumes through the end of August. In September, hypoxia was slightly above average for the period and there was no hypoxia during October sampling. Deep water hypoxia in the Bay normally dissipates after September, with no observed hypoxia in 30 out of the past 40 Octobers. Summary results from Maryland and Virginia combined Chesapeake Bay mainstream water quality monitoring cruises are as follows: Cruise 2024 Hypoxic Volume (cubic miles) Historical Average Hypoxic Volume (1985-2023) (cubic miles) *2024 Rank / Number of years measured Graphic May 0.42 0.18 35th / 40 Chart or Map Early June 1.03 0.90 24th / 36 Chart or Map Late June 0.76 1.27 9th / 34 Chart or Map Early July 1.20 1.59 11th / 39 Chart or Map Late July* 0.82 1.62 5th / 39 Chart or Map Early August* 0.26 1.31 1st / 37 Chart or Map Late August 0.77 1.07 10th / 40 Chart or Map September […]
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