Little Choptank River (LCHMH)

In 2001, SAV area in segment LCHMH increased to 962.43 ha, 105% more than in 2000 (468.41 ha). This is a notable recovery after the sharp decline in 2000 and continues a six-year expansion of SAV for LCHMH, that began in 1996. This segment accounted for 5.5% of SAV in the Middle Bay Zone and 3.0% of the Bay total. The Tier I goal (616.39 ha) was met for LCHMH, and has only been met twice before since the inception of the aerial survey in 1978.

SAV expanded in Hills Point and Rioll coves (Map 51); in Brooks, Hudson, Back, Phillips, Beckwith, Smith, and Fishing creeks (Maps 051, 052); in Cassons and Butter Pot points and around Cherry Island (Map 052); and in Madison Bay (Map 052). Additional increases were noted in Oyster and Cator coves (Map 062); at Hooper Point and Hooper Cove (Map 051, 063); in Davis and Slaughter creeks (Map 062); in Slaughter Creek Broads and Slaughter Creek Narrows (Map 062); and at the mouth of Parsons Creek (Map 062).

SAV declined slightly in the shallow portion of Hill Point Cove (Map 051); in the upper portion of Brooks Creek and in portions of Hudson Creek (Maps 051, 52); at the mouth of Beckwith Creek (Map 052); above Solomon Cove (Map 052); and west of Smith Creek and below Town Point (Map 052).