Water Quality | A Look at the Water Quality of the York River, Maine

Wild and Scenic River	Reporting Cycle	Miles by Water Quality Classification	Listed Impairments
York River and tributaries	2016	Good: 6 Impaired: 3.5 Unassessed: 82.3	Elevated fecal indicators

The York River Study Committee published its watershed stewardship plan in 2018. The plan states:

Water Quality

The York River estuary is often considered a reference site by Maine state environmental agencies as its rivers and streams exhibit very good water quality conditions. In addition to protections afforded by its largely preserved natural landscape, the York River and its tributaries are not impaired by major industrial or wastewater discharges that often impact rivers of similar size in Maine and New England. In 2017, Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP’s) Marine Unit conducted field monitoring to characterize water quality conditions in the York River estuary. Maine DEP’s Marine and Engineering Units conduct regular monitoring throughout marine waters to determine whether water quality standards are being met. Historically, monitoring in the tidal portions of the York River watershed was limited as conditions were suspected of meeting water quality standards. Maine DEP included the York River estuary in 2017 monitoring efforts with the expectation that water quality would be closer to reference condition as compared to impaired estuaries in southern Maine. Preliminary results from 2017 sampling indicate that overall water quality conditions are appropriate to consider the estuarine portions of the York River unimpaired and a suitable reference as compared to other southern Maine estuaries. Dissolved oxygen and pH data were consistent with a healthy and productive estuarine environment. Sites at head of tides showed intermittent, elevated turbidity indicative of marsh sediment export. Light attenuation values met guidance thresholds suitable to support and protect eelgrass at two-meter restoration depth within York Harbor.

---

Return to Main Article