Welcome to the DataHub
The Chesapeake Bay Program's primary platform for exploring and downloading environmental monitoring data.
This portal provides access to Water Quality, Living Resources, and Fluorescence data. Build your query using the available filters, including data type, date range, geographic region, and measured parameter. Each query returns a downloadable file in multiple formats, and the option to preview data in your web browser.
Learn more about monitoring programs at: Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Programs.
Available Data
Water Quality
CBP Water Quality Data (1984–present): Water quality, light attenuation, and optical density collected throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, subdivided into three Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) monitoring programs: Tidal Water Quality Monitoring, Shallow Water Monitoring, and Nontidal Water Quality Monitoring.
Historical CBI Water Quality Data (1949–1982): Physical parameters and nutrient data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Institute (CBI) of Johns Hopkins University between 1949 and 1982.
Living Resources
Tidal Plankton Data (1984–present): Zooplankton and phytoplankton community composition, abundance, and biomass at fixed mainstem and tidal tributary stations.
Tidal Benthic Data (1971–present): Benthic macroinvertebrate community composition, abundance, biomass, and Chesapeake Bay Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) scores at fixed and stratified random stations. Includes accompanying sediment and water quality data.
Nontidal Benthic Data (1991–2024): Benthic macroinvertebrate community composition, abundance, and Chesapeake Basin-wide Index of Biotic Integrity (Chessie BIBI) scores at wadeable streams and rivers across the watershed. Includes accompanying water quality and habitat assessment data.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence Data (1984–2012): Chlorophyll a concentrations measured along vertical profiles and horizontal transects at and between fixed mainstem and tidal tributary stations.
Citation Information
Chesapeake Bay Program. (n.d.). [Data Source]. Accessed [Month, Year] at [URL]
Data Source options:
- CBP Water Quality Data (1984–present)
- Historical CBI Water Quality Data (1949–1982)
- Tidal Plankton Data
- Tidal Benthic Data
- Nontidal Benthic Data
- Horizontal Fluorescence Data
- Vertical Fluorescence Data
Citation Examples:
- Chesapeake Bay Program. (n.d.). CBP Water Quality Data (1984–present). Accessed March 2026 at https://datahub.chesapeakebay.net/Home/WaterQuality
- Chesapeake Bay Program. (n.d.). Tidal Benthic Data. Accessed March 2026 at https://datahub.chesapeakebay.net/Home/LivingResources
Resources
- Data Documentation - Metadata files, maps, and archived resources for additional context.
- API - Programmatic access and API documentation for developers.
- Annual Water Quality Data Files - Download annual water quality data files organized by data stream and tidal influence.
- Contact Us - Submit questions or requests via the contact form.
DataHub Version 5.0.0 Released June 2026
This release introduces performance improvements, a redesigned API structure, and updates to data formatting and file outputs to improve consistency and usability across datasets. Updates include:
- Faster data queries and downloads
- Improved API structure and documentation
- More consistent column naming across datasets
- Standardized, informative download file names
- Data preview now shows up to 100 records
View DataHub 5.0.0 Release Notes for details on these changes.
Want to stay informed about DataHub updates, releases, and new features? Contact us at datamanagers@chesapeakebay.net to join the DataHub mailing list.