Potomac Health Grade Lowered to 'D'

If rivers went to school, the Potomac would be a step away from flunking out.

The river fell from a 'C' to a 'D' in overall health, according to a report released by EcoCheck, a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science. 

"This region had the second largest decline of all [Chesapeake] regions, from a 45% in 2009 to a 34% in 2010," the EcoCheck report said. "Four of the six indicators dropped in score."

The study looked at six factors, comprised of both water quality and biotic indicators.

The poor report card comes at a time when politicians around the country seek to cut costs across the board. In Virginia's case, funding for the Potomac River basin could suffer as early as this fiscal year.

Gov. Bob McDonnell proposed an amendment in this year's General Assembly session to cut $150,000 in funding to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, according to the Washington Times.

Established over 70 years ago, the commission unites the District, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania with the federal government in order to care for the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its annual budget is $2.5 million, and local jurisdictions contribute about $450,000, the Washington Times reported.