The Hidden Impact of Winter Runoff
, by Kenneth Smith , 1 min reading time
For too long, conservation efforts have focused on visible summer pollution while ignoring what happens upstream during colder months. Winter rain, melting snow, and dormant farmland create ideal conditions for untreated runoff to enter rivers and streams.
Living in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay watershed revealed a powerful truth: the health of the Atlantic Ocean begins far inland—often during winter. Nutrients, sediments, and plastics move quietly through our waterways long before they reach the coast.
By the time spring arrives, the damage has already begun.
