The overall score for the Chesapeake Bay Health Index for 2017 was 54%, the same score as 2016. Bay-wide, dissolved oxygen continued to be the best scoring indicator with an 89% in 2017, an A. Aquatic grasses scored a C- (44%), improved from last year’s D+ (39%). Water clarity scored an F (17%), a decrease from last year’s D- (24%). Benthic community in the bay improved from a C (54%) to a B- (60%). Total nitrogen scored C+ (59%), an improvement from last year’s C+ (55%). Total phosphorus scored B+ (76%), declining from an A- (82%) in 2016. Chlorophyll a scored D+ (35%), the same as last year.
