Lower Pocomoke River (POCMH)

In 2001, SAV area in segment POCMH increased to 618.74 ha, 26% more than in 2000 (489.29 ha), and the third consecutive year of increase for POCMH. This segment accounted for 3.5% of SAV in the Middle Bay Zone and 2% of the Bay total. The Tier I goal (840.77 ha) was not met for POCMH, and has not been met for this segment since the inception of the aerial survey in 1978.

SAV did not increase notably on the northern shore of the Pocomoke Sound (Maps 101, 102). On the southern shore, new SAV was mapped in Hunting Creek and SAV expanded in Doe, Bagwell, Little Back, and France creeks (Map 109). SAV also expanded from Cedar Island to Jacks Island and in The Thorofare (Map 109); in the areas of Halfmoon, Webb, and Scott islands, as well as in the SAV bed northwest of Halfmoon Island (Maps 108, 109).

SAV declined slightly on the northern shore of the Pocomoke Sound in Broad Creek Gut and Cow Gap Creek (Map 101). On the southern shore, some SAV declines were noted off Scott, Halfmoon, and Web islands (Maps 108, 109); off Old Tree Island (Map 109); to the east of Jobes Island (Map 109); and in portions of Cedar Cove, France and Little Back creeks (Map 109).