"EPA/600-S8-80-039." "November 1983." Caption title. At head of title: Project Summary.

This research was initiated with the overall objectives of determining past and current (1978) distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and to formulate recommendations for future surveys with regard to frequency and methodology. Current distribution of SAV was determined through interpretation of 1:24,000 scale black-and-white photographs taken from a seaplan during the growing season. Distribution of SAV was mapped on 1:24,000 U.S. Geological Suvery (U.S.G.S.) topographic map mylars. A total of 77 maps were produced. A photo-copy of each map is included in the final report. The minimum mappable bed size was approximately 0.25 hectares. There were 16 quad sheets with no mappable vegetation present, and 24 sheets that had less than 10 hectares of vegetation. Of the 40 sheets with less than 10 hectares of vegetation, 11 were north of the Chester/Magothy Rivers and 21 were south of th eChoptank/Upper Patuxent Riverrs to Smith Island on the Eastern Shore. This indicates that the mid-portions of Chesapeake Bay were relatively healthy with regard to distribution of submerged vegetation. This area of the Bay also contained the highest diversity of submerged vegetation. ... Recommendations for furture SAV surveys include larger-scale color photography in areas defined as "critical," to better define species association and frequency of at least once every three years.