During the summer and fall of 2023, the Washington metropolitan area faces an increased probability of releasing water from backup reservoirs. This increased likelihood is due to a combination of factors: a current dry spell, a 6.5-inch precipitation deficit over the past 12 months, and low groundwater levels, resulting in unusually low flows in the region.

The ICPRB staff will actively monitor the changing water supply conditions in the basin, focusing on the USGS Gage stream flows at Point of Rocks, Maryland, the location of the daily water supply monitoring threshold. If drought conditions develop, the local drinking water reservoirs at Jennings Randolph and Little Seneca, which are currently full, will prevent water supply shortages if low-flow conditions persist.

In the case of a drought, the region has contingency plans in place to manage water supply shortages.

Learn more in the June Water Supply Outlook >>>

Adjusted Daily Flow at Little Falls for 2023, 1999 and 2002, Daily Adjusted Flow Percentile for 1930-2021 Data, and Drought Year (2002) Demands plus Flow-by.