LAUREL, Del. - The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance just completed and released their 15-year report card.
The Nanticoke river and parts around it received grades of B's and C's.
Lisa Wool the executive director with the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance says a B and C grade is actually a good sign. She says, "We tend to be in the B, C range. With that being said we're one of the cleanest waterways in the Chesapeake Bay with a B or a C. when you look at us compared to places like some of the areas that are a little more developed."
But Broad Creek, was reported as one of the largest declines.
Wool says nitrogen and higher temperatures from these past summers can make algae grow, which in turn can consume the oxygen in the water and kill plants and animals.
Wool says, "With higher nitrogen, what were looking at is a couple things. It could be failing septic systems, it could be nitrogen run off from farms or lawns."
Fisherman on Broad Creek Friday afternoon say they've noticed the decline of water quality.
Greg Hundley says, "We see changes. Changes where you're like where did that come from. Our whole little cove... all of a sudden there would be nothing but algae growing, blocked in."
DNREC, who helps to fund these studies, says its important know what areas are a problem.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Coordinator Molly Walker says, "When we get these report cards and we get these reporting's from the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance this helps us to target areas and communities in which we can do these best management practices which are designed to improve water quality."
NWA says those best managements practices can include planting trees along waterways.
Click here for the report on NWA's website.