5. St. Martin River - The Coastal Bays Program

shifting sandsConclusionsThe ecosystem healthof St. Martin River is impactedSt. Martin River ranked last in the CoastalBays for estuarine health as a result ofintensive land use (development andagriculture). It had the lowest scores forwater quality, bay benthic index, hardclam density, sediment quality, andseagrass coverage. Watershed indicatorswere marginally better with relatively lowimpervious surface. However, streamnitrate was high, and forest cover was thelowest in the Coastal Bays. This resultedin St. Martin River’s overall ecosystemhealth ranking as last of the Coastal Bays.A combination of poor flushing, heavynutrient loading from both agricultureand development, and poor managementpractices previously implementedprobably contributed to the currentimpacted health and steady decline of St.Martin River. For more information, seeChapter 2—Ecosystem Health Assessment.How healthy is St. Martin River?1.0HEALTHY6.6IMPACTED0.39St. Martin River issuesAlthough the following issues arepresented here as pertaining to St. MartinRiver, they also apply to other CoastalBays subwatersheds.Total Maximum Daily Loads havebeen established for St. Martin RiverThe Delaware Department of NaturalResources and Environmental Control hasidentified the water quality of BuntingsBranch as impaired due to elevated3.3DEGRADED0.0Jane ThomasAerial view looking from Bishopville Prong down St. Martin River towards Isle of Wight Bay and Ocean City.90