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It is really interesting that you can observe on the photographs plumes of clear water coming from these fringing beds. The tide was ebbing and you can actually see an area offshore of the beds where clearer water from the beds is mixing with the much more turbid channel water. While we continue to hear about how much water oysters filter which can have a positive influence for SAV growth, we shouldn't forget that SAV also has an important role as a water clarifier! I have seen this before in other areas but it is particularly impressive in this part of the Patuxent. When we start mapping the historical limits and abundance of SAV, it will be important to keep in mind that these large beds must have had a major factor in influencing water clarity!