Wicomico River Creekwatchers serves all communities in the Wicomico River watershed, including most of Wicomico County and portions of Somerset County. 

Since 2003, this program has been scientifically monitoring water quality, educating the community about the watershed, and providing objective data and trend analyses to assist government leaders and individuals in making decisions affecting the health of the watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. 

Salisbury University student volunteers, under the direction of science faculty, analyze water samples for total Nitrogen, Nitrates, Phosphorus, Phosphates, Salinity, Chlorophyll A, and Bacteria levels. Learn more about what these measures are and recent results under River Updates.

In 2024, volunteers and partners of the Wicomico Environmental Trust monitored 26 sites across the Wicomico River Watershed, spanning ponds, tidal freshwater, oligohaline (low-salinity), and mesohaline (medium-salinity) areas. This year’s results highlight both encouraging progress and ongoing challenges shaped by pressures of climate change and local conditions.

Overall, salinity levels remained consistent with long-term averages, though the upward trend documented in recent years continues, reflecting the influence of sea-level rise and climate change. Water temperatures were slightly warmer across all groups, reinforcing the

long-term warming trend observed in the region. pH values stayed within normal range for brackish and freshwater systems, although patterns diverged from expectations, with freshwater sites more acidic and mesohaline areas more alkaline than historic averages.

Several indicators point to positive trends. Water clarity improved in freshwater and mesohaline sites, with all groups meeting or exceeding long-term averages and remaining above impaired levels. Nitrogen levels continue to decline, with all sites below impairment thresholds, and nitrate concentrations were significantly lower than long-term averages. These improvements may suggest progress in nutrient management.

Other measures continue to demonstrate challenges. Chlorophyll α levels were higher than long-term averages in freshwater and oligohaline areas, though still below eutrophic levels, where increased nutrients enhance some organismal growth to throw the ecosystem off balance. Total phosphorus spiked across all groups, largely due to a small number of high readings, while phosphate levels declined only in ponds. Newly measured blue-green algae provided a baseline for future monitoring. Bacterial counts, though generally reduced since the Salisbury wastewater treatment plant opening in 2018, were elevated in ponds – possibly influenced by activity of wildlife such as geese.

The 2024 season reflects a watershed responding to both global climate stressors and local management efforts. Warmer waters, rising salinity, and phosphorus spikes underscore ongoing risks, while gains in clarity and nutrient reductions demonstrate promising improvements.