Low rainfall helps bay - but hurts, too

A lack of rainfall in the Chesapeake region this year could be a mixed blessing for the bay in coming months, scientists said.

Baltimore received .18 inch of rain last month, a March record low in the city since 1870, when National Weather Service records began. Rainfall last week did little to make up for low year-to-date regional totals, which has benefits and detriments to bay life.

Meteorologist Andy Woodcock said .73 inch of rain fell Saturday, bolstering April's total so far to 1.57 inches. But the yearly total so far is still 3.38 inches below normal, at 7.87 inches, he said.

"We need the rain," he said. "We want...