Description: The 2024 distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries was mapped from aerial multispectral digital imagery and satellite imagery. The aerial imagery was acquired between May and October 2023, with a resolution of 24 cm, encompassing 194 flight lines.Due to challenges in acquiring access to the airspace surrounding Washington, DC, imagery for the upper Potomac River was not acquired until September 16th and October 24th, 2023. Unfortunately, SAV in this area began dying off starting in late August and so our imagery did not capture peak biomass of SAV. Neither WorldView or Pleiades satellite imagery was available for the areas in question. NAIP imagery was flown for both Virginia and Maryland in 2023, but it was not captured until October 11th, and so provided no additional information. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs was available, but does not provide high enough resolution for mapping without being used in conjunction with other imagery.
The Spatial Data and the information therein (collectively "the Data") is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind either expressed implied or statutory. The user assumes the entire risk as to quality and performance of the Data. No guarantee of accuracy is granted nor is any responsibility for reliance thereon assumed. In no event shall the State of Maryland be liable for direct indirect incidental consequential or special damages of any kind. The State of Maryland does not accept liability for any damages or misrepresentation caused by inaccuracies in the Data or as a result to changes to the Data nor is there responsibility assumed to maintain the Data in any manner or form. The Data can be freely distributed as long as the metadata entry is not modified or deleted. Any data derived from the Data must acknowledge the State of Maryland in the metadata.
Last Updated; 4/01/2026