News

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News From Around the Basin – April 4, 2024

April 8, 2024

Welcoming ICPRB interns, status of the Shenandoah, rockfish in limbo, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – April 4, 2024 >>>

Welcoming ICPRB’s 2024 Interns

Nusrat Noor will be joining ICPRB remotely from her home base of Durham, NC where she is working on her Master of Environmental Management at Duke University. She has experience curating and cataloging large collections of aquatic and marine invertebrates at both the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and the Florida Museum of Natural History.

At ICPRB, Ms. Noor will be working closely with the CO-OP team to retrieve and analyze remotely sensed water storage data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) to improve hydrological modeling and forecasting during low flows in the Potomac basin. She is also working to make historic, handwritten water quality datasets held by ICPRB available in electronic format.

Nusrat is originally from Florida and currently lives with her two cats. She enjoys hiking, crocheting, and buying toys for her cats that they never use.

 

Risa Fish hails from Phoenix, Arizona, where she advocated for clean water and sanitation practices for an organization conducting water projects in Cusco, Peru. She also conducted research and educated the public on water conservation at the Water Conservation Department of the City of Chandler. Already holding a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Public Policy (Sustainability) from Arizona State University, Ms. Fish is now working on her Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management at Georgetown University, where she expects to graduate this summer. She hopes to remain in the DMV area post-graduation as she has loved living on the East Coast.

During her internship at ICPRB, she will be working on a Spatial Statistical Network modeling project as well as making improvements to our water quality data inventory. As a self-proclaimed “water nerd” she is eager to continue to expand her expertise in the water field and is looking forward to the experiences ICPRB can provide her with.

This is ICPRB’s third year since starting the internship program that educates and encourages future water resources professionals. Check out our YouTube page to see the great work of previous interns.

One Down, Many More to Come

Thank you to our guides, Paul Kreingold and Jon Wolz, and everyone that joined us for our first Walk in the Woods of 2024. We learned the fascinating history of the quarry along the Potomac that supplied the statuesque columns for Statuary Hall in the Capitol. See pictures of our walk (and Potomac marble!) on Facebook.

Sign up for a future Walk in the Woods on our Eventbrite page > > >

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News From Around the Basin – March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Still time to sign up for Saturday’s hike, a DC parks quest, sayonara Stumpy, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 28, 2024 > > >

Sign up for Saturday’s Walk in the Woods

Did you miss your chance to register for Saturday’s *sold out* Walk in the Woods: Potomac Marble near Dickerson, MD? Don’t worry, we’ve got a spot for you. If you would like to join us for this 5-mile guided trek to discover the stone that rebuilt Washington, D.C., we’re extending extra spots to anyone signed up for our newsletter. The event is free to attend, but we ask that you register by responding to this email.

Can’t make it? Join us on a future Walk in the Woods, including the newly added Walk in the Woods: Mussel Power with Anacostia Watershed Society on May 18.

Working Towards a Resilient Water Supply System

Last week, ICPRB staff joined the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) for a tabletop exercise to review — and improve — our collective response to a hypothetical threat to our water supply system.

ICPRB staff utilized our Emergency River Spill Model to support the exercise scenario, and discussed spill notification, modeling, and communication protocols. Events like these are important for building processes and relationships for a more efficient and effective response to emergency situations.

Read the full CISA press release here > > >

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ICPRB Report Explores Future Water Use Across the Watershed

March 22, 2024

A newly published pamphlet, Potomac Basin Trends in Water Use, summarizes forecasted reported water withdrawals and consumptive use in the Potomac basin. Understanding current and anticipated water use is vital for sustainable water resources planning today and into the future. Consumptive Use (CU) is the portion of water withdrawn from a resource and not returned for subsequent use. Examples of CU: evaporated irrigation and cooling water, bottled drinking water, and water consumed by people or livestock.

This report is a companion piece to the Potomac Basin Reported Water Use pamphlet published in 2022 and is part of the workplan developed through the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Expected percent change in water withdrawals from 2025 to 2050 in the Potomac basin by HUC8.

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News From Around the Basin – March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024

Funding for a resilient water supply, water challenges across the Potomac, survey for DC anglers, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 21, 2024 >>>

ICPRB Report Explores Future Water Use Across the Watershed

A newly published pamphlet, Potomac Basin Trends in Water Use, summarizes forecasted reported water withdrawals and consumptive use in the Potomac basin. Understanding current and anticipated water use is vital for sustainable water resources planning today and into the future.

This is a companion piece to the Potomac Basin Reported Water Use pamphlet published in 2022 and is part of the workplan developed through the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

DOEE Fishing Survey

The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) Fisheries Research Branch is conducting their annual creel survey and encourages local anglers to participate. The goal of the survey is to better understand recreational angling efforts, perceptions, and harvests within Washington D.C. The information obtained from the voluntary survey will be used to inform fisheries management decisions and regulations. DOEE encourages anglers to fill out the form after every fishing trip.

Click here to check out the survey and save the link > > >

See the Fishing News section below to catch more updates on fishing across the Potomac River basin.

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News from Around the Basin – March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

A new plan and funding to protect and preserve the Potomac, unique ways to view 🌸, funding to get blue catfish on the menu, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 14, 2024 > > >

A Fresh Path Forward for the Potomac River

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) recently published an update to a comprehensive planning document that it hopes will be used as a tool to protect water supplies, drinking water sources, water quality, and aquatic life.

At this week’s ICPRB Quarterly Business Meeting, the ICPRB Commissioners formally adopted the 2023 Updates to the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The document is the result of a yearlong stakeholder process that evaluated progress during the first five years of implementation and developed the workplan for the next five years.

A section of the report includes how the public can get involved:

  • Encourage and participate in stewardship activities that improve watershed conditions, such as trash pickups, reducing winter salt use, and picking up pet waste.
  • Share the plan with local politicians, water suppliers, environmental organizations, and civic organizations.
  • Use ICPRB-created tools such as the flow alteration from impervious cover map, the land prioritization tool, and land use webinars to make land use decisions that support sustainable water resources management.

To learn more about the planning document, check out the video or read ICPRB’s news release > > >

Federal Funding to Protect and Preserve the Potomac River Watershed

ICPRB received $650,000 in the recent funding package passed by Congress.

In making the announcement, ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli stated, “We are glad to see the federal government acknowledge the important work of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River.”

ICPRB plans to use the funds to improve water modeling capabilities and implement the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Learn more about the plans in ICPRB’s recent news release > > >

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News Release: A Fresh Path Forward for the Potomac River

March 13, 2024

ICPRB Commissioners approve updates to the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Click here for a PDF of this announcement >>>

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) will use this as a tool to protect water supplies, drinking water sources, water quality, and aquatic life, and encourages other organizations to do the same.

Population changes in the Potomac River watershed (2010-2020).

Population changes in the Potomac River watershed (2010-2020).

“The Potomac River watershed is home to 6.9 million people. As the saying goes, we all live downstream. Practices and policies throughout the watershed impact our waterways. We expect this updated plan to continue to serve as a catalyst for sustainable water resources management throughout the watershed,” explains Michael Nardolilli, Executive Director of ICPRB.

The plan addresses water resources challenges to the watershed, including sustainable water uses and supplies, protecting and improving water quality, sustainably managing human land use, and protecting ecological health.

The Potomac River watershed includes parts of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as the entire District of Columbia. According to Nardolilli, most of the residents in the watershed rely on the Potomac River or its tributaries for drinking water.

The planning document, titled Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan, was originally published in 2018. The 2023 updates were the result of a yearlong review process by an advisory committee composed of regional governments, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. It was officially adopted by the ICPRB Commissioners at the business meeting on March 12, 2024.

“The population in the Potomac River watershed has increased by 13% since 2010. With this immense growth, it is more important than ever that we practice smart and sustainable water resources planning. We think this Comprehensive Plan is the tool to achieve that vision,” says Nardolilli.

According to Nardolilli, milestones from the initial 2018 plan are mostly complete. New goals developed in the recent update are expected to begin in the spring of this year.

“It takes a watershed-wide effort to protect and preserve the Potomac River and its related resources. Through a diverse stakeholder group, the plan provides a voice for people and organizations throughout the basin. Further, the update highlights the need to reach the wonderfully varied communities of the basin, with particular focus on those disproportionately affected by water resources issues,” states Dr. Heidi Moltz, Director of Program Operations at ICPRB and an author of the plan.

Dr. Moltz shares some of the ways the public can get involved which are suggested in the new report:

  • Encourage and participate in stewardship activities that improve watershed conditions, such as trash pickups, reducing winter salt use, and picking up pet waste.
  • Share the plan with local politicians, water suppliers, environmental organizations, and civic organizations.
  • Use ICPRB-created tools such as the flow alteration from impervious cover map, the land prioritization tool, and land use webinars to make land use decisions that support sustainable water resources management.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 13, 2024

Renee Bourassa, Communications Director
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin | Rockville, MD
rbourassa@icprb.org | 301.417.4371 | ICPRB

The 2023 Updates to the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Plan can be found on ICPRB’s website at: https://bit.ly/basin_plan

The ICPRB is an interstate compact commission established by Congress in 1940. Its mission is to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education. Represented by appointed commissioners, the ICPRB includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the federal government. The ICPRB affirms the importance of fostering diversity equity, inclusion, and justice in all activities. The Potomac belongs to all.

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News Release: Federal Funding to Protect and Preserve the Potomac River Watershed

March 11, 2024

ICPRB received $650,000 in the recent funding package passed by Congress.  

Click here for a PDF of this announcement >>>

Authorized by an Act of Congress in 1940, the mission of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education.

Map of the Potomac River watershed

When the Interstate Compact was approved in 1940, Congress stipulated that ICPRB shall be provided annual appropriations from the United States. According to the executive director, other than in 2009, ICPRB has not received federal appropriations since 1996.

In making the announcement, ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli stated, “We are glad to see the federal government acknowledge the important work of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River. We are very appreciative of the work done by Congressman Raskin and Senators Cardin, Casey, and Van Hollen and their Staffs.”

According to Nardolilli, ICPRB plans to use the funds to improve water modeling capabilities and implement the 2018 Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The 2023 updates to this plan are being considered by the ICPRB Commissioners later this week.

Work plans include:

  • Enhance emergency spill modeling tools to help protect water supply intakes from spills into the river of oil and other chemical contaminants.
  • Investigate feasibility, collect data, and construct eelways on the Potomac River.
  • Collect bathymetric LiDAR data for the Potomac River North Branch to support 3D flow modeling.
  • Develop better modeling capabilities for drinking water reservoir management.
  • Host a series of webinars to promote sustainable water resources management.
  • Advance the use of ICPRB’s impervious cover tool to assist decision-makers in understanding the relative effects of proposed impervious cover sites on local hydrology.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 11, 2024

Renee Bourassa, Communications Director
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin | Rockville, MD
rbourassa@icprb.org | 301.417.4371 | ICPRB

More information about ICPRB can be found on their website at www.potomacriver.org.

The ICPRB is an interstate compact commission established by Congress in 1940. Its mission is to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education. Represented by appointed commissioners, ICPRB includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the federal government. ICPRB affirms the importance of fostering diversity equity, inclusion, and justice in all activities. The Potomac belongs to all.

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News from Around the Basin – March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Peak bloom predicted and how to see them, new ICPRB commissioner, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – March 7, 2024 >>>

ICPRB Welcomes New Commissioner

Dr. Birthe V. Kjellerup is the newest commissioner representing the state of Maryland for the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). She is an associate professor at the University of Maryland at College Park at the A. James Clark School of Engineering where she also serves as the Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,

“We welcome Dr. Kjellerup to ICPRB and are happy to have her as a commissioner. I look forward to working with her to address pollution and water supply challenges of the Potomac River,” stated Michael Nardolilii, Executive Director of ICPRB. The ICPRB Commission is composed of three commissioners and three alternate commissioners from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Federal Government.

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ICPRB Welcomes New Commissioner

March 6, 2024

Dr. Birthe V. Kjellerup is the newest commissioner representing the state of Maryland for the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). She is an associate professor at the University of Maryland at College Park at the A. James Clark School of Engineering where she also serves as the Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,

“We welcome Dr. Kjellerup to ICPRB and are happy to have her as a commissioner. I look forward to working with her to address pollution and water supply challenges of the Potomac River,” stated Michael Nardolilii, Executive Director of ICPRB. The ICPRB Commission is composed of three commissioners and three alternate commissioners from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Federal Government.

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Media from around the basin – February 29, 2024

February 29, 2024

Where to find ICPRB this year, VA out of drought, the stories of the first all-Black rowing team and the first Black yacht club, and more in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – Feb. 29, 2024 >>>

ICPRB in the Community

Our dance card is getting full for 2024! Check out several upcoming events where you’ll find ICPRB staff:

We’ll be adding more fun and informative events throughout the year. We also plan to bring our creek critter meet and greet to the Earth Day Celebration (April 20, Frederick, MD), Anacostia River Festival (May 4, DC), Festival del Rio Anacostia (September 21, DC), and many more! Stay tuned by checking out ICPRB Events on our website.

ICPRB Q2 Business Meeting will be on March 12, 2024

ICPRB will hold the second quarter business meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Commissioners will learn about computer models used to predict water quality endpoints and discuss the adoption of the 2023 updates to the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The public is invited to view the virtual meeting. Please respond to this email for more information on how to attend.

Correction Notice

Editor’s Note: Last week’s newsletter included the news article Virginia Introduces Amended Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit to Protect Chesapeake Bay. We were subsequently informed that information found in the article is not accurate. We regret the error.

Contact us for more information