Eyes on the Bay Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are many questions that Eyes on the Bay staff frequently answer. Below are some of our most asked questions and the answers. Click on each question to see the answers.

If you don't see your question answered below, you can Email an Expert to get your answer.

Questions about data, downloading, and data use:

You have a lot of data! What types of data are available, and where can I find them?
  • We have several data programs, you can easily compare our data types in the handy table on our: Data Types Overview Table
  • Another good place to start is in the Data Information Harbor, where you can find information about each data type, and links to pages for station information and data downloads: Data Information Harbor
  • CONTINUOUS MONITORING:
    We make all Continuous Monitoring data available on the Eyes on the Bay website, both continuous '15 min increment data', and monthly/bi-monthly 'calibration data' which is recorded during instrument maintenance times. These data are all available to view as charts or for download on our data query page. Note that current year data have not yet gone through a final Quality Assurance (QA) process: Continuous Monitoring Data & Charts

    LONG-TERM FIXED-STATION MONTHLY MONITORING:
    Our long-term stations are sampled every month (sometimes twice-monthly), and charts of these data compared with historical mean, minimum, and maximum values can be viewed on our: Long Term Monitoring Charts. You can also view or download a station list, basic station information, and directly download long-term data sets from our: Long Term Station Information Table

    VERTICAL PROFILER:
    We have both current year and archived data from our Vertical Profiler available for download on our: Vertical Profiler Data Query

    DATAFLOW SPATIAL MAPPING:
    Dataflow Data are available as either surface maps of integrated dataflow data, or as a direct raw data download. You can query for maps or download dataflow data on our: DATAFLOW Surface Maps & Data Query
Where can I find long-term data?
I need help, how do I download data from Chesapeake Bay Program Data Hub?
  • We have provided a step-by-step guide to help you with the process of downloading data from the Data Hub: STEP-BY-STEP DATA DOWNLOAD GUIDE .
  • These directions follow one specific example, but should help provide tips and tools for the general method that you can apply to your data download needs.
How can I access archived or historical data?
  • Much of our data is now available directly on this website! We suggest reading the responses to the first two questions in this FAQ list, they will point you to all of our data.
How do I cite Eyes on the Bay, and what is your data use policy?
I'm conducting a research project on water quality over time, how can I get water quality data for multiple years?
  • We get many data requests from students, teachers, and researchers and we're thrilled to have our data used in so many different ways.
  • Our Data Types Overview explains differences among our data types and how to access each type: DATA TYPES OVERVIEW . Additionally, we suggest you read the answer to the first question in this FAQ list, it will point you to downloads of all of our data.
  • If you are a researcher looking for a large dataset that you can't get through our online access either on this site or on the Chesapeake Bay Program DataHub, please use our: DATA REQUEST FORM.
  • We love for our data to be used and properly cited, and all the information is in this document: EYES ON THE BAY CITING METHODS AND DATA USE POLICY . If you use our data in any poster, presentation, or publication please send us a reference. We'd like to start highlighting these works on our website.
Do you collect streamflow data?

Methodology questions:

What are your Quality Assurance and Quality Control methods?
  • We have rigorous protocols for maintenance and data quality assurance (QA) which we have documented in our Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) on our: MONITORING NEWS & NOTES PAGE . Under the menu for "Publication Type" choose "Quality Assurance Project Plan".
I'm interested in setting up a DATAFLOW program similar to yours, can you share any information on your equipment and procedures?
  • Absolutely, we have extensive Quality Assurance Project Plans for the DATAFLOW program which outline collection, equipment and procedures in our Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) on our: MONITORING NEWS & NOTES PAGE . Under the menu for "Publication Type" choose "Quality Assurance Project Plan".

Concerns about environmental conditions:

How do I report a fish kill, algae bloom, or oil spill?
  • The State has a toll-free 24 hour hotline you can use to report fish kills, algal blooms, air pollution violations, sewage spills, hazmat or oil spills, wetland violations, radiation accidents or underground tank leaks; just about anything that has to do with the outdoor environment. The HOTLINE phone number is: 866-633-4686. If you see anything unusual, calling this number will get you the quickest response. Environmental Emergency Hotline (1-866-MDE-GOTO) .
How do I find out if an area is safe for swimming?
  • Local government health departments measure bacterial counts at public swimming beaches. The local health departments coordinate with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding reporting of closures. Links to those resources are all on our Eyes on the Bay page dedicated to: Swimming Health Related Resources.
  • US EPA has a Beach Advisory and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) national map database to show locations of beach closings and health advisories: EPA Beach Information and BEACON .
  • General advice that is provided regarding swimming in open waters is:
    1. Persons with compromised immunity and/or open cuts should avoid water contact.
    2. Avoid swimming 48 hours after heavy rainfalls. Heavy rainfalls wash pollutants and nutrients into waterways that can stimulate bacterial growth.
    3. Wash well after water contact.
Are the crabs and fish from my river safe to eat?
There is sea grass growing in my creek, how do I find out what kind it is?
  • Consider checking out Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Bay Grasses web pages: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Bay Grasses Website .
  • In the menu on the right-hand side there's even a link to an "Identifying Bay Grasses" tool. You can either follow the directions for using the Identification key, or simply click the Select by common name list box, and choose species common names, one by one, to view images and information about each Bay Grass species.

Questions about educational resources:

Do you have any free educational resources or lesson plans that I can use to help educate my class about Chesapeake Bay water quality?

Other questions:

Is it legal to spread cremated ashes in the Chesapeake Bay?
I didn't see my question listed, how do I contact someone?
  • If you didn't find the answer to your question in this list of FAQs then Email an Expert to get your answer! Email An Expert