Bone-dry and bone-chilling: The Halloween River Report
Due to current conditions, we are reviving the weekly River Report. Each week we’ll provide a summary of drought conditions across the region.
The DC metro region has not had rain in 29 days. The region’s record dry streak (from 2007) is 34 days. At this time, no appreciable rainfall is expected over the next 7 days. The extended dry conditions have increased the area of Moderate Drought Conditions (D1) in the Potomac River watershed by almost 30% since last week.
ICPRB staff is monitoring the river’s flow and keeping in contact with the region’s stakeholders. Due to low flow conditions, it is expected that ICPRB will begin Drought Monitoring any day now. During active Drought Monitoring, staff in ICPRB’s CO-OP Section provide daily emails with river flow, weather forecasts, and water withdrawal information to downstream water utilities and government agencies. This information helps water utilities in their daily operations planning. If we do initiative Drought Monitoring, you can follow the conversation on social media using #droughtmonitoring.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Drought Coordination Technical Committee will be meeting tomorrow (Nov. 1) to review current water supply and drought conditions and discuss the possibility of lifting the current Drought Watch declared this summer.
On a positive note, the upstream drinking water reservoirs are nearly full. These reservoirs would be used to supplement downstream flow in the case of a severe drought. The region is well protected from water supply shortages due to years of planning and preparation.
National influence with a local perspective
Congratulations to Dr. Heidi Moltz, ICPRB’s director of program operations, on wrapping up her tenure as 2024 chair of the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP). This is a national organization that provides a voice for regional, state, and local water resources agencies and entities regarding diverse water policy issues that affect real-world decisions. Dr. Moltz used her time on the board bolstering the next generation of water resource professionals through the ICWP internship program, elevating the discussions on water resources at a DC Roundtable and the Annual Meeting, updating ICWP’s principle statements on drought planning and resilience, and more.
Learn more about ICWP’s 2024 accomplishments >>>
Through involvement with ICWP and similar organizations, ICPRB staff are leading discussions on water resources and policy in the Potomac basin and beyond.
MDE asking for public input on North Branch Use Class
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is holding a hearing on December 2, 2024, for public input on the proposed changes to the Existing Use determinations for roughly 11 miles of the the mainstem North Branch Potomac River between Westernport, MD to Rawlings, MD. The proposed changes, if approved, will provide regulatory protections by changing the reach from a Warm Water use (Class I) to a Cold Water Use Class III or IV.