Sea grass in the James

However, there is also good news on our home river: grasses in the tidal portion of the James River are up 14 percent. This is the highest level since the annual surveys started in 1978, representing 54 percent of the restoration goal for grasses in the James.

A couple factors are worth noting. First, the James did not receive as much torrential rain and flooding as the Chesapeake waters to the north. In fact, the annual average flow for the James was 14 percent below the long-term average. This means that the river did not receive the same level of polluted runoff as the other parts of the bay and tributaries. Also, the grasses on the James continue to be concentrated in the tidal creeks and tributaries to the river where the surrounding land use is largely forest, wetlands and agricultural lands where farmers are practicing continuous no-till farming.We are encouraged in noting that for the first time in the survey, grass beds were found on the main stem of the tidal James above Newport News. This appears to be an expansion of the beds in the adjacent tidal creeks and provides hope that if water quality on the main stem of the river can be improved that we can get more grasses growing throughout the river.

These underwater grasses are important for a number of reasons. Submerged grasses provide habitat and food for aquatic animals; trap sediment and nutrients; and add oxygen to the water. Therefore, underwater grasses represent one of the most critical elements of the Chesapeake’s diverse ecosystem.  And, like any plant, aquatic grasses require sunlight to grow. Because grasses can only get sufficient sunlight if the water is relatively clear and free of sediment, the presence of grasses is a positive indicator of current river health.