Caption title. At head of title: Project summary. "Oct. 1982." "EPA/600-S3-82-084."

The objective of this study was to determine if small vessels operating in shallow waters have any measurable effects in producing increased turbidities by the resuspension of fine sediments that may affect submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). A two-phase approach was used consisting of field tests in a suitable sub-estuary of Chesapeake Bay and laboratory measurements of propeller effects. During field trials, two different vessel types were used to make passes at set speeds over known water depths. Before and after measurements of light extinction and transmission, and determinations of gravimetric suspended sediment were used to identify effects. Laboratory experiments were conducted to delineate the contribution of propellers to possible resuspension. These experiments were conducted using laser-doppler anemometry to map the turbulence field produced by propeller action. This report was submitted in fulfillment of Grant Number EPA-78-D-XO426 by Anne Arundel Community College and the U.S. Naval Academy under the sponsorship of the Chesapeake Bay Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.