TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)
SUMMARY
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Choptank River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Choptank River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Choptank River is a 71-mile-long river located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It flows through Maryland's Eastern Shore and is home to a rich history dating back to the 1600s. The river's hydrology is impacted by agriculture and urbanization, leading to pollution concerns. Two major reservoirs, the Tuckahoe Creek and Greensboro Reservoirs, provide drinking water to the area. The river is also home to several dams, including the Greensboro Dam and the Federalsburg Dam. The Choptank River supports recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and crabbing, and is an important source of agricultural irrigation for the surrounding farms. Efforts are being made to reduce pollution and protect the Choptank River's ecosystem, including the creation of the Choptank River Watershed Conservation Plan.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Choptank River Near Greensboro
USGS 01491000 |
15 cfs | 2.18 ft | 15.63 |
History of the River
The Choptank River is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and the largest river on the Delmarva Peninsula. Running for 71 miles (114 km), it rises in Kent County, Delaware, runs through Caroline County, Maryland and forms much of the border between Talbot County, Maryland on the north, and Caroline County and Dorchester County on the east and south. It is located north of the Nanticoke River and its mouth is located south of Eastern Bay. Cambridge, the county seat of Dorchester County, and Denton, the county seat of Caroline County, are located on its south shore.
Its watershed area in Maryland is 1,004 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 224 square miles (580 km2) is open water, so it is 22% water. The predominant land use is agricultural with 418 square miles (1,080 km2), or 48% of the land area.
The $155 million Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina is situated on the east shore in Cambridge, MD. Completed in 2002, the resort is the only of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic United States. However, Hyatt has been struggling to make bond payments on the property.
