On January 19, 2024, ICPRP hosted speakers from Devereux Consulting and the National Association of Conservation Districts to cover the impacts that agricultural land use has on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities available to mitigate these effects. Check out the webinar recording below…
We will talk about water quality impacts from agricultural land use in the Potomac basin and what funding is available to mitigate them. Olivia Devereux from Devereux Consulting who will share about the impacts that agriculture in the Potomac basin have on water quality. Mark Masters and Annica McGuirk from the National Association of Conservation Districts will share funding sources for agricultural related practices in the region.
After one of our driest summers on record, we have now received greater than 75% above average rainfall for the year. You’ll see in the graph that the adjusted flow at Little Falls (black line) has shot out of the 90th percentile range. However, we are only 11 days into that year.
Our drought conditions have improved, but are still sticking around. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 42% of the basin is in Abnormally Drought and 18% is in Moderate Drought conditions.
More rain is in the forecast for the next 3 days, which could result in more flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Please be safe during flooding conditions. Don’t put your life, your passenger’s life, or first responders in danger. If you see a flooded street, turn around, don’t drown. WUSA9 provides additional tips to help protect your property from flooding.
Agriculture in the Watershed
Join us at noon on January 19 to learn about water quality impacts from agricultural land use in the Potomac basin and what funding opportunities are available to mitigate them.
The ICPRB has hired Rick Masters as its new General Counsel to replace long-time General Counsel Robert Bolle who retired at the end of 2023. Mr. Masters has engaged in extensive research and writing in the field of interstate compacts, including co-authoring the largest compilation of laws and commentary on the subject published by the American Bar Association in 2016 entitled “The Evolving Law and Use of Interstate Compacts (2nd Edition).” Mr. Masters also served for over 20 years as Special Counsel to the National Center for Interstate Compacts and authored the 2019 Legal Assessment of the Great Lakes Compact Commission.
Snow is in the forecast. When you work in water resources in the Potomac River watershed, snow is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, slowly melting snow refills our depleted groundwater, which is especially important after our dry 2023.
On the other hand, salt added to roads and sidewalks will run into our waterways, putting our drinking water, aquatic life, and infrastructure at risk. Our long history of winter salt use has increased the chloride levels in the Potomac River by 10-fold over the past 80 years.
Public safety is always the number one priority. However, using smart winter salting practices will ensure safety and reduce the amount of salt that ends up in our waterways.
Here’s what you can do:
❄️ Shovel First
🧂 Use Less Salt
🧹 After the storm, sweep it up and reuse it next time!
Let’s reduce our winter salt use to protect our drinking water, fish, and infrastructure! MWCOG has more tips and tricks for being Winter Salt Smart. #saltsmart
A celebration of field work
In 2023, ICPRB staff accomplished a variety of field activities, including monitoring for microplastics in Washington, D.C., tracking underground streams in the Cacapon River, and tagging and tracking fish in the North Branch Potomac. Stay tuned in 2024 for the results of these studies!
State parks across the Potomac River watershed are open the first day of the year to celebrate the annual tradition of a First Day Hike. Many parks offer ranger-led hikes and even special stickers to celebrate the occasion. The fun events provide an alternative way to ring in the new year.
First Day Hikes encourage people to start the year off right by getting outside, getting exercise, and experiencing the natural world.
After three decades of service to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Robert “Bob” Bolle is retiring as General Counsel. We would like to thank him for his wise counsel through so many years.
At the December 15, 2023 business meeting, ICPRB Commissioners voted to honor Mr. Bolle with the following Resolution of Appreciation.
Resolution of Appreciation for Service of Robert L. Bolle
Let it be known, Robert L. Bolle held a distinguished legal career, including service as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and as the Attorney-Advisor in the office of Legislative Counsel at the United States Department of the Treasury.
Whereas Mr. Bolle served as General Counsel to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin from April 1, 1992 through October 25, 2023; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle, during his tenure, served as the Acting Executive Director in 1999; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle brought to the Commission his skills as a knowledgeable, legal practitioner; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle ensured the Commission stayed within proper and permissible legal boundaries; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle instituted the parental leave allowance for the benefit of all Commission staff; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Commission joining the Interstate Council on Water Policy where it continues to be a leading member; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle promulgated and guided the passing of the 1996 Jennings Randolph Lake Project Compact, allowing for interstate management of Jenning Randolph Reservoir; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle shared his passion for protecting and preserving the Potomac River and its related resources through sound legal advice, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at its business meeting on December 15, 2023, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin honors and commends Robert “Bob” Bolle for his outstanding service and expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to the success of the Commission.
The River Report – No Water Supply Outlook for January
Things are turning around.
The river’s flow is looking up. Flows are no longer following the trend of pre-drought years and the NWS Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center is predicting additional heavy rain next week.
As of December 19th, the basin received 2.9 inches of rain, which exceeds the average by 1.1 inches for the month. Nevertheless, there is still a substantial 8.1-inch deficit for the year.
The extreme drought (D3) coverage cleared up in late November and conditions seem to be improving. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports recent rainfall reduced Potomac basin drought coverage from 89% on December 12 to 73% a week later. The Shenandoah area maintains a 15% severe drought (D2) status, but the rest of the basin improved, with moderate drought (D1) dropping from 41% to 27% in a week. The remaining basin area is roughly 30% abnormally dry (D0), but these boundaries are receding from the lower basin and Pennsylvania regions, returning them to normal conditions.
After releasing a Water Supply Outlook in November and December, ICPRB’s CO-OP staff have decided the monthly report will return to its normal schedule next year. Unless conditions deteriorate, the report will be released monthly from April through October, 2024.
ICPRB Commissioners Approve DEIJ Statement
Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (referred to collectively as DEIJ) has been an ongoing journey at ICPRB. It has been a learning process to which we have committed ourselves in order to better serve and represent all residents of the Potomac basin.
At last week’s quarterly meeting, ICPRB Commissioners officially approved a policy statement on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Special thanks goes to the DEIJ Committee of the Commissioners for their work on this statement, which will guide all aspects of our work.
We are seeking an organized and motivated individual with strong attention to detail to serve as the Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager alongside ICPRB’s Water Quality Data Manager. This position will be offsite at the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) offices in Annapolis, MD with occasional travel to ICPRB headquarters in Rockville, MD. The Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager is responsible for maintaining, designing, and building relational databases for the CBP, verifying and assuring data quality, and facilitating data analysis efforts of the CBP. Examples of datasets you will work with include plankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, and wildlife.
ICPRB has openings for two interns for the spring and summer semesters of 2024. These are paid, part-time, temporary positions with flexible working hours. Applications are encouraged from any undergraduate juniors or seniors majoring in a relevant environmental science or engineering field and graduate students majoring in environmental science, environmental engineering, water resources or a related field. Applications are due by January 12, 2024.
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