Middle Potomac River (POTOH)

Due to flight restrictions following the events of September 11, only 13% of the area mapped for segment POTOH in 2000 was fully mapped in 2001. In 2001, 1,242.87 ha of SAV were mapped for segment POTOH. This segment accounted 7.1% of SAV in the Middle Bay Zone and 3.9% of the Bay total.

When comparing the same mapped regions for both years, SAV increased 113% from 210.18 ha in 2000 to 447.46 ha in 2001. The Tier I goal, adjusted to cover just the area mapped both years (95.73 ha), was achieved for POTOH.

On the northern shore of the Potomac River, SAV increased above Benny Gray Point in Nanjemoy Creek (Maps 056, 057). On the southern shore, SAV increased from Brent Marsh to Brent Point (Map 055); in Aquia and Potomac creeks (Maps 055, 064); and in Choptank Creek (Map 066).

On the northern shore, SAV decreased from Maryland Point to Benny Gray Point (Maps 056, 065); and below the mouth of the Port Tobacco River (Map 057). On the southern shore, SAV decreased at the head of Potomac Creek and below Belvedere Beach (Map 064).

No photography was available for the north shore above Wades Bay (Map 055), Nanjemoy Creek above Benny Gray Point (Map 057); and the area from Upper Cedar Point to above Goose Creek in the Port Tobacco River (Map 057).