Imagine getting real time weather, current, and water quality data from a buoy along the route you want to travel.
The John Smith trail smart buoys provide that information, and more. Via a mobile phone you can learn about the history that happened near the buoy, what John Smith would have seen when he passed this spot, and other information. All you do is call 877-BuoyBay.
You can also access the information on the web.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, developed the buoys. They are called the Chesapeake Bay Interpretative Buoy System, which in turn is part of the Chesapeake Observing System, a system of sensors that supplies vital environmental and water quality data to scientist and other interested parties.
Classrooms can also use the information from the buoys. New educational curricula, which use data from CBIBS buoys to teach a variety of subjects, have been developed for teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
For information on current conditions, check out the Chesapeake Bay Observing System.