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Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup

Scope and Purpose

The Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup (TMAW) is responsible for the Chesapeake Bay Program's (CBP) tidal water quality and biomonitoring programs in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The Workgroup coordinates and integrates the State- and Federally-funded monitoring programs within the tidal monitoring network, promoting consistency in sample collection and analysis, data management and reporting.

The data collection programs provide quantitative information on a suite of physical and chemical water quality parameters, as well as certain biological parameters. Among the monitored water quality parameters are: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient species, carbon, silicon and suspended solids. The biological parameters--phytoplankton (including chlorophyll as a measure of phytoplankton biomass), zooplankton and benthos--are first-line response indicators of water quality and important players in the Bay's trophic scheme. The CBP Water Quality and Biomonitoring Programs were begun in mid 1984 and are currently ongoing. The data are available to everyone through the web.

TMAW provides products for audiences of various levels of interest and technical need, including raw data, data summaries, interpretive reports, analytical and diagnostic tools. Under TMAW auspices, the data are analyzed and interpreted with several objectives:

  • to determine if management actions to restore and enhance the bay are having effect;
  • to aid in formulating management recommendations for the future;
  • to characterize the present state of water quality and plankton and benthic communities;
  • to determine if water quality criteria and standards that protect living resources are being attained;
  • to determining long term trends or changes in key water quality indicators and to relate these to specific management actions;
  • to better understand linkages and processes in the Bay ecosystem
  • to identify early warning signs of new threats to ecosystem health.

In addition, TMAW funds a limited number of targeted research projects relating to these objectives. The workgroup is also responsible for seeing that tidal monitoring programs address new management questions and new Bay Program commitments regarding water quality as they come along.


  • Walt Boynton (Chair), University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Liza Hernandez (Coordinator), University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Lea Rubin (Staff), Chesapeake Research Consortium

  • Eva Bailey, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Rich Batiuk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Peter Bergstrom, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Karl Blankenship, Bay Journal
  • Mark Brush, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
  • Claire Buchanan, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)
  • Ben Cole, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Simon Costanzo, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Dan Dauer, Old Dominion University (ODU)
  • Bill Dennison, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Katie Foreman, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Carl Friedrichs, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
  • Rebecca Golden, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Carlton Haywood, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)
  • William Hunley, Hampton Roads Sanitation District
  • Fred Irani, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Jackie Johnson, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)
  • Renee Karrh, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Jonathan Kellogg, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
  • Heath Kelsey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Mike Koterba, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Richard Lacouture, Morgan State University
  • Jurate Landwehr, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Michael Lane, Old Dominion University (ODU)
  • Mary Ellen Ley, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Roberto Llanso, Versar
  • Mike Mallonee, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB)
  • Bruce Michael, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Ken Moore, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
  • Andrew Muller, U.S. Naval Academy
  • Diana Muller, South River Federation
  • Marcia Olson, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
  • Tom Parham, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Bob Paul, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
  • Elgin Perry, Independent Consultant
  • Scott Phillips, USGS Chesapeake Bay
  • Sara Powell, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Tish Robertson, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • Bill Romano, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Kevin Sellner, Chesapeake Research Consortium Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
  • Gary Shenk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Brian Smith , Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Donald Smith, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • Jen Stanhope, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
  • Nita Sylvester, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Peter Tango, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Mark Trice, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Cathy Wazniak, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Caroline Wicks,
  • Bob Wood, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Upcoming Events

    June Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting

    Location

    Joe Macknis Memorial Conference Room

    Date / Time:

    June 14, 2013
    10:00am - 3:00pm

    Details:

    TMAW monthly meeting see agenda for details. Questions can be directed at Liza Hernandez (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Lea Rubin (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

    Conference Line: (866) 299-3188 code: 410-267-5731
    Adobe Connect: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/tmaw2 (enter as guest)

July Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup (TMAW) Conference Call

Location

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office

LOCATED AT:
177 Admiral Cochrane Drive in
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

For Directions:
http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/location.html

Date / Time:

July 10, 2013
10:00am - 12:00pm

Details:

Conference Line: (866) 299-3188 Code: 410-267-5731
Adobe Connect: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/tmaw2

Materials will be posted as they become available. Please see agenda for details. Questions can be directed at Liza Hernandez (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Lea Rubin (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

Umbrella Criteria Action Team (UCAT) Follow-Up Conference Call

Location

Joe Macknis Memorial Conference Room

Date / Time:

July 12, 2013
10:00am - 12:00pm

Details:

Follow-up conference call to finalize recommendations for assessing shallow-water habitat encapsulated within the open-water habitat discussed at the TMAW-UCAT spring workshop.

Conference Line: (866) 299-3188 Code: 410-267-5731
Adobe Connect: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/tmaw2 (enter as guest)

Past Meetings & Events

  • May 7, 2013 - Dissolved Oxygen Assessment in the Chesapeake Bay Seminar
  • April 4, 2013 - April TMAW Analysts Ad-hoc Group Meeting
  • February 7, 2013 - February Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting
  • January 7, 2013 - January TMAW Analysts Ad-hoc Group Meeting
  • December 7, 2012 - December Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting
  • November 1, 2012 - November Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting
  • October 4, 2012 - CANCELLED - October Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Conference Call
  • September 20, 2012 - September Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting
  • June 12, 2012 - June Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting
  • May 3, 2012 - Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup May Conference Call
  • April 5, 2012 - Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup April Meeting
  • March 1, 2012 - Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup March Meeting
  • February 27, 2012 - Status and Trends Committee Meeting
  • February 2, 2012 - Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Feb. Conference Call
  • January 5, 2012 - Tidal Monitoring and Analysis Workgroup Meeting


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