Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

Winter 1996

Journal

Virginia Journal of Science

Volume

47

Issue

4

First Page

251

Last Page

279

Abstract

Environmental conditions in the Virginian waters of the Chesapeake Bay area during the summerof 1995 have been characterized as a severe drought. This drought was punctuated on 27 June with a headwater (James and Rappahannock River) rain storm that produced a "freshet". Although it did not rain in the Tidewater area of Virginia, surface salinities were depressed by the run-off, and main-stem bottom ox}'gen levels dropped to z.ero in the James and Rappahannock rivers. The effects of the reduced oxygen were apparent on the James River oyster stock, particularly the reduction in spatfall, and to a lesser degree on the Rappahannock River young-of-the-year striped bass index. Long-term effects of the June flood and/or the drought must be monitored.

Publication Statement

VIMS Contribution No. 2053.

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