Thriving Wildlife, Failing Grade Despite visible signs of an improving river habitat, including the celebrated return of otters, the Anacostia River received a failing grade on the 2023 State of the River Report Card, the third failing grade in six years. Many indicators of water quality continue to improve, but these are outweighed by two significant factors in river health - submerged aquatic vegetation, and the presence of fecal bacteria from human waste. These two critical indicators have continued to worsen and the exact causes remain unclear, though increased storm events as a result of changing climate are a likely factor. We can remain positive that the long-term trends from 1989 indicate steady improvement, but this year’s grade is still a rallying cry for local authorities and municipalities to step up efforts to address barriers to a swimmable, fishable Anacostia River. 2023 Highlights - The Anacostia River received a failing grade for the third time in six years with a score of 52%, a 3-point drop from last year's score.
- Toxics Remediation and Trash Reduction, the scorecard’s qualitative measures, stayed steady and improved its score respectively thanks to progress on the Anacostia Sediment Project and Anacostia River Tunnels Project.
- Though this year's failing grade is a setback, long-term trends going back 30 years still point to slowly and steadily improving water quality and ecosystem health. In our assessment, the goal of swimmable and fishable by 2025 remains within reach.
- River Otters have re-established themselves here in the Anacostia River, with sightings even in the inner watershed, indicating the return of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
- The freshwater mussel population continues to thrive through both restoration efforts and improved water quality over all. With over 36,000 mussels released into the river since 2019, their filtering capabilities on the Anacostia River’s waters is estimated at roughtly 132,097,150 gallons of water in a year, or the volume of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools in a single year.
Read more from Anacostia Watershed Society President Christopher E. Williams in his blog post, "When will it be safe to swim in the Anacostia River?" |
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Congratulations to our River Heroes! Our River Homecoming celebration on September 6th was a heartwarming evening, bringing together a roomful of Anacostia River advocates in celebration of our progress towards a clean and healthy river, and our 2023 Anacostia River Heroes! These awards seek to honor the "unsung heroes" whose work has made a significant contribution to a cleaner, healthier, Anacostia River. - Hazel Wartchow, Anacostia River Next Generation Hero (Not pictured)
- Lora Nunn, Anacostia River Civic Spirit Hero
- Leonina Arismendi, Anacostia River Civic Spirit Hero
- Marina Gutierrez, Anacostia River Educator of the Year
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the campaign! Your support will go right to work to protect and restore our favorite river. Click here to see the photos on Facebook Click here to see the photos on our website (scroll down.) For a full list of sponsors, please click here. |
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