News

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News From Around the Basin – May 30, 2024

May 30, 2024

The inaugural River Report of 2024, invasive species, water safety, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – May 30, 2024 >>>

**Friday is the deadline for abstract submissions to present at the upcoming Potomac Conference: Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species on October 17, 2024. The conference will expound on the science, policy, and management of invasive fishes and other aquatic species in the Potomac River basin and beyond.**

River Report

Thanks to a wet winter, rain in the basin is only 0.5 inches below average for the past 12 months. For comparison, in our last River Report of 2023 last December, rain in the Potomac River basin was 8 inches below average. The extra rain will help replenish groundwater sources for the coming dry season.

Currently, the river level is in good shape. At 7,700 cubic feet per second (cfs), the river’s flow at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks is slightly above the historical median level of 7,340 cfs.

Looking towards the future, NOAA is calling for an above-normal hurricane season. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict how that will impact our region. The best thing to do is to get prepared now by gathering emergency supplies, developing an evacuation plan, and preparing your home for strong storms. Learn more on the NOAA website >>>

What to celebrate this week: National Learn How to Row Day, June 1

Rowing is a popular activity in the DC Metro area. In celebration of National Learn How to Row Day on Saturday, some boathouses on the Potomac are holding events to encourage people to get out on the water and try their hand at this fun water sport. Here are just a few of the options to get your feet wet in the rowing world:

Remember to wear comfortable clothes and bring your sunscreen, water, and hat. Stay safe and have fun!

ICPRB in the Community

Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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Media From Around the Basin – May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Data center legislation, dolphin tracking, lighthouse for sale, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – May 16, 2024 >>>

Data Centers, Solar Fields, and Water Resources

Did you miss last week’s webinar exploring the intersection of water resources, data centers, and solar fields in the Potomac River watershed? Catch it now on our YouTube page. Presentations included:

  • Utility Scale Solar Institutions in Virginia
  • Environmental Impacts of Industrial Scale Solar and Solutions
  • Loudoun Water’s Reclaimed Water System in the Heart of Data Center Alley

Stay tuned for future webinars covering topical matters of water resources importance. The webinars are part of the implementation of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

What to celebrate this week: National Love a Tree Day and Bike to Work Day

National Love a Tree Day is today. Did you know 53% of the Potomac watershed is forested? Love a tree by joining a tree planting event near you with groups like Casey Trees (DC) or Streamlink Education (MD).

Bike to Work Day is tomorrow. Air pollution impacts water quality by running into our streams and rivers when it rains. Skip the car for your morning commute and hop on your bike. Stop by a ‘pit stop’ for food, prizes, and camaraderie.

ICPRB in the Community

Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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Webinar Recording: Water Resources Impacts of Data Centers and Solar Fields and Tools to Mitigate Impacts

May 14, 2024

This webinar explores the intersection of water resources, data centers, and solar fields in the Potomac River watershed. The May 10, 2024, webinar was held as part of the implementation of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. 

Speakers and times:

5:47 Utility Scale Solar Institutions in Virginia – Michael Rolband of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

20:36 Environmental Impacts of Industrial Scale Solar and Solutions – Scott Cameron, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District

32:18 Loudoun Water’s Reclaimed Water System in the Heart of Data Center Alley – Darrin Geldert of Loudoun Water

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News From Around the Basin – May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

2024 Potomac River Conference announcement, new Water Supply Outlook, a story map chronicles historically Black beaches, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – May 9, 2024 >>>

Call for Presenters — 2024 Potomac River Conference: Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species

We are looking for presentations and posters for the 2024 Potomac River Conference, which will be held on October 17, 2024, at The River View at Occoquan in Lorton, Virginia. The conference will expound on the science, policy, and management of invasive fishes and other aquatic species in the Potomac River basin.

If you are interested in speaking or presenting a poster, please submit an abstract by Friday, May 31.

Our relationship with invasive, non-native aquatic species in the Potomac River basin is complicated. Alarms are sounded and eradication efforts mobilized for some species (zebra mussels, blue catfish), while concerns about other non-native species fade as they fill empty ecological niches (Asiatic clams) or become prized fisheries (smallmouth bass). The goal of this effort is to convene a one-day, in-person conference to enhance awareness of the ecological roles that aquatic invasive species have or could assume in the Potomac River basin and the adverse impacts they impart when natural controls are missing.

If you are not interested in speaking but would like to get informed when registration is released, please sign up to stay informed.

How is our Water Supply Doing?

Each month during the dry season, staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac produces a Water Supply Outlook report. They look at the probability of the need for releases from upstream reservoirs to supplement drinking water in the DC Metro area.

So far for 2024, the water supply outlook is good. April ended with 0.4 inches of rain above average. The extra rain has helped us close the deep gap from the 12-month cumulative average developed from last year’s dry weather. Streamflow is currently near normal, and groundwater levels are mostly normal.

Click here to read the full report >>>

If low-flow conditions develop, water from Jennings Randolph and Little Seneca lakes can be used to provide drinking water to downstream communities. The Washington metropolitan area is protected from a water supply shortage owing to carefully designed drought-contingency plans.

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The Newly Published Water Supply Outlook for May, 2024

May 9, 2024

Each month during the dry season, staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac produces a Water Supply Outlook report. They look at the probability of the need for releases from upstream reservoirs to supplement drinking water in the DC Metro area.

So far for 2024, the water supply outlook is good. April ended with 0.4 inches of rain above average. The extra rain has helped us close the deep gap from the 12-month cumulative average developed from last year’s dry weather. Streamflow is currently near normal, and groundwater levels are mostly normal.

Click here to read the full report >>>

If low-flow conditions develop, water from Jennings Randolph and Little Seneca lakes can be used to provide drinking water to downstream communities. The Washington metropolitan area is protected from a water supply shortage owing to carefully designed drought-contingency plans.

 

Adjusted Daily Flow at Little Falls for 2024, 1999, and 2002.

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Call for Presenters — 2024 Potomac Conference: Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species

May 7, 2024

The Call for Presentations and Posters is open for the

2024 Potomac River Conference:

Reeling in the Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species

Details:

October 17, 2024

River View at Occoquan in Lorton, VA.

The conference will expound on the science, policy, and management of invasive fishes and other aquatic species in the Potomac River basin. We are seeking presenters for both the conference and the concurrent poster session.

If you are interested in speaking or presenting a poster, please complete the form below.

Submissions are due by COB Friday, May 31, 2024.

Submit an Abstract >>>

Our relationship with invasive, non-native aquatic species in the Potomac River basin is complicated. Alarms are sounded and eradication efforts mobilized for some species (zebra mussels, blue catfish), while concerns about other non-native species fade as they fill empty ecological niches (Asiatic clams) or become prized fisheries (smallmouth bass). The goal of this effort is to convene a one-day, in-person conference to enhance awareness of the ecological roles that aquatic invasive species have or could assume in the Potomac River basin and the adverse impacts they impart when natural controls are missing.

If you are not interested in speaking but would like to get informed when registration is released, please click the button below.

Sign up to Stay Informed >>>

If you have questions or problems filling out the form, please contact us.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event:

Shad Level Sponsorship

Xylem logo

Xylem Water Solutions & Water Technology

Mussel Level Sponsorship

HDR Logo

HDR, Inc.

Sponsorships are still available. Contact us for more information.

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Media From Around the Basin – May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Finding a Lost River, reviving a forgotten river, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir > > >

Are you seeing green?

Does the warm weather, birds singing, and flowers blooming have you seeing green all around? What about in the water?

On the evening of April 30th, ICPRB staff, in coordination with our West Virginia partners, deployed a bright green dye into the lower Lost River. Although we’re a little late for St. Patrick’s Day, the dye will help scientists understand how water travels underground in a complex geological environment.

During dry weather, the Lost River disappears underground and reappears as the Cacapon River. The geological connection between the two rivers is not fully understood.

As the food grade dye sinks into the cracks and fissures in the Lost River, ICPRB scientists will monitor and map the color as it reemerges at springs throughout the Cacapon watershed. To help us track the dye, staff installed passive carbon pack collectors (essentially fish tank carbon filters) throughout the watershed.

The safe dye will degrade and wash away in only a few days, leaving the Cacapon as it was before (if a bit less festive).

If you are familiar with the geology in the region, you can help our scientists by identifying springs and ground water sinks in the Lost River Valley, Rio Valley, or Upper Cacapon.

Watershed moments — What to celebrate this week: Drinking Water Week

What do your coffee maker, a brewery, and you have in common? They all need clean drinking water to function properly. Drinking Water Week is a time to celebrate our most vital resource and those who work to protect it.

Ways to celebrate Drinking Water Week (May 5-11):

  • Learn where your drinking water comes from
  • Discover new ways to be more water efficient
  • Participate in a local river clean up

Thank you to all the water resource professionals who work hard to make sure our taps work when we need them (and our coffee maker, too!). Join the conversation using #drinkingwaterweek on your favorite social media platforms.

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Media From Around the Basin – April 25, 2024

April 25, 2024

Making science more accessible, Rock Creek by any other name, the state of the streams, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir. > > >

Making Science More Accessible

If you have visited the ICPRB website recently you might have noticed some changes. In our continued effort to make the website more accessible to a wider audience, we are excited to announce a couple new features.

Clicking a button at the top right of the website immediately translates the website’s content into other languages. Readers can choose from ten of the most common languages spoken within the Potomac River watershed, including Spanish and French.

Clicking the person icon at the bottom right of the website provides audio and visual options to make the website more accessible to people living with a disability. Readers will find a menu with eight different accessibility profiles to choose from, including motor impaired, color blind, and visually-impaired. Among other options, visitors can choose to have the website read aloud or change the look of the site (color contrast, text size, etc.) to better suit an individual’s needs.

Start exploring the website today > > >

Watershed moments — what to celebrate this week: Rx Take Back Day

One simple way to protect our waterways is to properly dispose of medication (NEVER flush it down the drain!). This Saturday there will be collection sites conveniently located throughout the region where anyone can safely offload unneeded medication as part of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Find a collection site near you > > >

ICPRB in the Community

Below is a list of upcoming events ICPRB is producing or attending.

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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News from Around the Basin – April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

Webinar on Data Centers & Solar, watershed moments, White’s ferry tale saga continues, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – April 18, 2024 >>>

ICPRB Webinar: Water Resources Impacts of Data Centers and Solar Fields and Tools to Mitigate Impacts

Interested in the intersection of data centers, solar fields, and water resources in the Potomac River watershed? Join ICPRB for a webinar on Friday, May 10 at noon to learn about the water resources impacts of data centers and solar fields in the Potomac watershed. We’ll also discuss tools to mitigate and prevent those impacts. The panel will feature speakers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Loudoun Water.

This event is being held as part of the implementation of the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Watershed moments – what to celebrate this week

Earth Day is Monday, April 22. One impetus for the national push for a this day to inspire environmental action was Silent Spring, a groundbreaking book which linked pollution to real impacts to both the environment and human health. The book was written by biologist and writer Rachel Carson, a resident of the Potomac River basin.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Here are just a few of many options:

ICPRB in the Community

Below is a list of upcoming events ICPRB is producing or attending. We hope to see you there!

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The First Water Supply Outlook of 2024 is Published

April 8, 2024

Each month, April through October, the staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac put together a Water Supply Outlook. The report explores the possibility of water supply releases from upstream reservoirs and looks at the overall precipitation status of the Potomac basin.

April’s Water Supply Outlook calls for a below normal probability that we will need to rely on the upstream reservoirs to provide water for the DC Metro area. Although the Potomac basin is 3.8 inches below average for the past 12 months, the year has started out at near-normal levels. If low-flow conditions develop, the Washington metropolitan area is protected from a water supply shortage owing to carefully designed drought-contingency plans.

Read the Water Supply Outlook > > > 

Contact us for more information