Stream Health Workgroup
The Stream Health Workgroup is dedicated to creating positive impacts on streams within the Chesapeake Bay watershed by improving the health and functionality of 10% of stream miles above the 2008 baseline by the year 2025.
Meetings
Stream Health Workgroup Meeting - December 2025
Stream Health Workgroup Meeting - October 2025
Stream Health Workgroup Meeting - August 2025
Stream Health Workgroup Meeting - June 2025
About
The Stream Health Workgroup aims to affect overall positive change on streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by coordinating expert input on restoration techniques, funding options and priority targets for natural channel design.
Projects
Recommendations for Developing Hydromorphology Indicators with GIS Data
CompleteThis project advanced efforts to understand drivers of stream health and to develop non-biological metrics for characterizing stream health's response to management practices.
Management Approaches to Reduce Stressors of Stream Health
CompleteThis study explored how best management practices designed to reduce nutrient and sediment loads can also address key stressors on stream health.
Identifying Key Stressors Driving Biological Impairment in Freshwater Streams in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA
CompleteExamining key stressors behind biological impairment in Chesapeake Bay streams through research and regulatory insights.
Literature Review: Building Climate Resilience in Stream Restoration Practices
In ProgressThis review of existing research will examine the resilience of stream restoration practices in a changing climate.
Stream Restoration Permitting Survey
CompleteThis survey was designed to track progress and identify issues related to permitting stream restoration projects.
Publications
2024-2026 Stream Health Workplan
Publication date: Not listedThis two-year work plan outlines the steps the workgroup will implement to promote progress toward the Stream Health Outcome.
View document [PDF, 180.8 KB] 2024-2026 Stream Health Workplan
2024-2025 Stream Health Management Strategy - v.4
Publication date: Not listedThis management strategy outlines the methods for attaining the Stream Health Outcome.
View document [PDF, 567.3 KB] 2024-2025 Stream Health Management Strategy - v.4
2023 STAC Workshop Report - The State of the Science and Practice of Stream Restoration in the Chesapeake: Lessons Learned to Inform Better Implementation, Assessment, and Outcomes
Publication date: Not listedSTAC workshop highlights advancements in stream restoration science and strategies for improving restoration outcomes.
Stream Biological Health in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Publication date: Not listedProvides the 2008 baseline for the Chesapeake stream health goal and evidence of improving trends in watershed health.
View document [PDF, 2.4 MB] Stream Biological Health in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
2024 - Stream Health Outcome Review Summary
Publication date:The Stream Health Outcome Review Summary provides a description of the current state of the outcome, a reflection of the accomplishments and challenges over the past two years, and recommendations for future work.
View document [PDF, 355.1 KB] 2024 - Stream Health Outcome Review Summary
Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes
Vital Habitats Goal
Our Members
- Alison Santoro (Chair)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources alisona.santoro@maryland.gov - Sara Weglein (Chair)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources sara.weglein@maryland.gov - Nick Staten (Staffer)
Chesapeake Research Consortium staten.nick@epa.gov - Joe Berg
Biohabitats jberg@biohabitats.com - Emily Bialowas
Izaak Walton League ebialowas@iwla.org - Kristen Saacke Blunk
Headwaters LLC Kristen@headwaters-LLC.org - Claire Buchanan
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) cbuchan@icprb.org - Josh Burch
District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) josh.burch@dc.gov - Sara Caldes
s.caldes@severnriverkeeper.org - Matthew Cashman
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mcashman@usgs.gov - Denise Clearwater
Maryland Department of the Environment dclearwater@mde.state.md.us - Sandra Davis
USFWS Chesapeake Bay Field Office sandra_davis@fws.gov - Rosemary Fanelli
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) rfanelli@usgs.gov - Nat Gillespie
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) nathaniel.gillespie@usda.gov - Scott Heidel
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection scheidel@pa.gov - Ken Hyer
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) kenhyer@usgs.gov - Rikke Jepsen
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) rjepsen@icprb.org - Neely Law
Fairfax County (VA) Neely.Law@fairfaxcounty.gov - Scott Lowe
Trout Unlimited scott@flyfishmend.com - Kelly Maloney
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) kmaloney@usgs.gov - Derrick McDonald
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection emcdonald@state.pa.us - Matt Meyers
Fairfax County (VA) matthew.meyers@fairfaxcounty.gov - Kip Mumaw
kip@ecosystemllc.com - Greg Noe
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gnoe@usgs.gov - Brock Reggi
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Brock.Reggi@deq.virginia.gov - Nancy Roth
Tetra Tech nancy.roth@tetratech.com - Bill Seiger
Maryland Department of the Environment wseiger@mde.state.md.us - Chris Spaur
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) christopher.c.spaur@usace.army.mil - Scott Stranko
Maryland Department of Natural Resources scott.stranko@maryland.gov - Carrie Traver
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3 Traver.Carrie@epa.gov - Gabriella Vailati
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control gabriella.vailati@delaware.gov - Joe Wood
Chesapeake Bay Foundation jwood@cbf.org - Emily Zollweg-Horan
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation emily.zollweg-horan@dec.ny.gov