Bladensburg, MD –August 25, 2026 – The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) will release its annual State of the River Report Card, giving the Anacostia River’s water quality a C-, its highest grade in the history of this report. Once written off as one of the most polluted waterways in America, the Anacostia River’s progress reflects nearly four decades of collaborative restoration efforts to improve water quality in the river.
The Anacostia Watershed Society provides this annual progress update on the Anacostia River to hold decision-makers, and stakeholders including ourselves, accountable for the health of the river. Throughout the year, AWS collects and analyzes scientific data to evaluate key indicators of a healthy river ecosystem, including water clarity, levels of chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, fecal bacteria, and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Each indicator is rated on a percentage scale, with 100% representing the ideal state of health.
“We’ve reached another milestone in the recovery of the Anacostia River with its highest water quality grade ever and the first time we have made the jump from D to C,” said Christoper E. Williams, CEO of AWS.
Report Highlights
- The river’s water quality received the highest percent score (%Score) to date of 71. The river also received the highest letter grade of C-.
- Parameters are showing steady improvement in Chlorophyll a, and Water Clarity.
- Parameters that remain sluggish include Fecal Bacteria, Dissolved Oxygen, SAV; however, these parameters also show gradual improvement in recent years.
- DC’s budget cut on the Department of Energy and Environment offset all gains for the Trash Reduction %Score.
- AWS assesses the tidal Anacostia River dividing it into 3 sections. The most southern section received the highest letter grade of C for the section. And the most northern section in Maryland received the highest letter grade of C-.
- The Water Clarity (Secchi Disk Depth) for the entire tidal river received the first passing grade of D-.
What’s Next
Despite this record setting grade, AWS cautions that the Anacostia watershed continues to suffer from the historical loss of wetlands and forests that once protected our rivers and streams from excessive runoff, sediment and pollution. Climate change will exacerbate these challenges and threatens to roll back the progress the river has made over the last 30 years.
The Anacostia Watershed Society urges further, comprehensive efforts to conserve and restore wetlands and forests, reconnect floodplains with the river and streams of DC, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, and ensure climate resilience.
“Once again the AWS State of the River report card provides important evidence that the Anacostia River is in recovery,” said Williams. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of local governments, non-profits, academic institutions, and a legion of volunteers from DC and Maryland, a thriving, fishable, swimmable Anacostia River is coming into view. But to get there, we have more work to do. When a struggling and improving student brings home a C-, you say two things: ‘Good job, I’m proud of you!’ and ‘Now let’s keep working toward that A grade.’ We should all be proud of the progress we’ve made to bring the Anacostia River back to health. And we should all keep working toward that A grade!”
