The Cumulative Frequency Diagram Method for Determining Water Quality Attainment 2006

Published:

October 1, 2006

Originator:

Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC)

In June 2000, Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partners adopted the Chesapeake 2000 agreement, a strategic plan that calls for defining the water quality conditions necessary to protect aquaitc living resources. These water quality conditions are being defined through the development of Chesapeake Bay specific water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen, water clarity, and chlorophyll a to be implemented as state water quality standards by 2005. One element of the newly defined standards is an assessment tool that addresses the spatial and temporal variability of these water quality measures in establishing compliance. This tool has become known as the Cumulative Frequency Diagram (CFD).