Due to the persistent dry conditions, the publication period for the Water Supply Outlook has been extended into November.
The ICPRB Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations (CO-OP) commenced its fourth “Drought Monitoring” period of the year on November 1. CO-OP initiates drought monitoring when the flow at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gage in Point of Rocks, Maryland, falls below 2,000 cubic feet per second.
The Potomac basin upstream of Washington, D.C., received 0.8 inches of rain in October, which is 2.2 inches below normal. Streamflow is currently below normal. Groundwater levels are below normal in many observation wells in the basin.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 19% of the Potomac basin is experiencing severe drought conditions, while 52% is facing moderate drought conditions.