Officials say underwater grasses increased in 2025 to an estimated 89,385 acres across the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. This marks a 7% increase from 2024 and places the Bay's underwater grass abundance just 615 acres shy of a 2030 interim milestone of 90,000 acres. It also represents 45% of the long-term goal of 196,600 acres as set by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

An environmental group gave the Chesapeake Bay watershed a D-plus grade in an evaluation released on Thursday - the same grade earned in its last report two years ago.