Fishing enthusiasts, outdoorsmen and riverkeepers have noticed a substantial decline in the numbers of smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. There have been increasing die offs of young bass, increasing amounts of algae blooms and clear evidence of diseased smallmouth bass over the past 15 years. Evidence of serious changes are clear but there are no solutions because there is not enough research to clearly identify the main causes of these problems.
By designating the river as "impaired" there will be increased awareness and monetary resources allocated to researching and reversing this problem before it is too late. As the largest source of water to the Chesapeake, it is imperative we find answers and solutions now.



