News

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Dry conditions spur additional Water Supply Outlook

November 3, 2023

Staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) has been in active drought monitoring status for almost a month now. In the past, the monthly Water Supply Outlook was only published from April to October. However, due to the persistent dry conditions, staff decided to publish an additional Water Supply Outlook for November. The report notes that rain in October was 1.6 inches below average. See the summary or read the full report >>>

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News from Around the Basin – November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Protecting our river from spills 🦸‍♀️, drought continues ☀️, spooky species in the Potomac River basin 🕷️, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir 💧 Nov 2, 2023.

The River Report – Flows Continue to Drop

At only 8.1” of rain over the past 3 months, we are 1.9” below average with no relief in sight. Some cities in the basin, including Emmitsburg, MD, and Strasburg, VA, are implementing mandatory water restrictions due to low water levels.

ICPRB CO-OP staff continue to carefully monitor the situation. Daily reports are posted on Twitter/X using #droughtmonitoring.

You may notice the daily ups and downs on the river’s flow at Point of Rocks in the graph, including a recent jump and subsequent dip. These fluctuations are due to dam operations artificially adjusting the flow upstream.

Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst

ICPRB and our utility and government partners work hard to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply for the 5 million+ people who rely on the Potomac River and its tributaries for their drinking water. This week, we took a few days to practice our response to an oil spill in the river, including deploying a boom (see the video).

These exercises help us be prepared for possible spills or other threats to our drinking water. Participants included WSSC Water, Fairfax Water, DC Water, Town of Leesburg, Virginia, Loudoun Water, and government agencies from throughout the Potomac watershed. The event was planned and funded by US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 with the assistance of ICPRB. See more photos on our Facebook post.

(A Snowy) Winter is Coming

Meteorologists predict up to 6” more snow than average this winter. This will help refill our depleted groundwater, but it will also bring salty runoff into our streams, rivers, and even into groundwater. Our rivers are getting saltier, which is dangerous for aquatic life, our drinking water, and our infrastructure. Recent research event looks at how the issue extends beyond our freshwater supplies.

Last Saturday, a group of people enjoyed a guided hike to learn more about the issue of the overuse of winter salt and what they can do to make a difference. We also founds some spooky species along the way.

More pictures can be found on our Facebook page.

We walked along the Muddy Branch Trail, a 10-mile trail which ends at the Potomac River. The trail begins on the grounds of the Izaak Walton League of America’s national headquarters and ground zero for the Salt Watch program which was born after residents noticed a large pile of winter salt on the road above the Muddy Branch creek.

What can you do to protect our drinking water?

❄️ Shovel before you salt

🧂   Use less salt

🧹  Sweep it up and reuse it next time!

🧪 Get your own Salt Watch kit to monitor a stream near you.

Thanks to the Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg for partnering with us on this hike! We have one final guided hike for 2023. Join us this Saturday at 2:00 pm for the Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest.

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**RESCHEDULED** Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest

October 12, 2023

We want rain, we were just hoping it wouldn’t come this Saturday morning for our Walk in the Woods in Frederick, MD. Unfortunately, the October 14 hike has been rescheduled due to the rainy forecast. Please stay tuned for a new date.

In the meantime, you can still sign up for future Walk in the Woods on our Eventbrite page.

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ICPRB’s Dr. Moltz elected chair of a national organization for water policy

October 12, 2023

ICPRB’s director of program operations, Dr. Heidi Moltz, has been elected as chair of the board of directors of the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP).

“I am honored and excited to collaborate with ICWP members to improve water resources management and planning policy nationwide. The ICWP mission to enhance the stewardship of the nation’s water resources aligns with our mission to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education,” says Dr. Moltz.

Dr. Moltz directs the water resources, aquatic life, and water quality programs at ICPRB, including overseeing the 2023 5-year review of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

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News from Around the Basin – October 12, 2023

October 12, 2023

Drought monitoring is back, but there is still lots of good news in the basin in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir 💧 Oct 12, 2023.

**SPECIAL NOTICE: We want rain, we were just hoping it wouldn’t come this Saturday morning for our Walk in the Woods in Frederick, MD. Unfortunately, the Frederick hike has been rescheduled due to the rainy forecast. Please stay tuned for a new date. You can still sign up for future Walk in the Woods on our Eventbrite page.**

The River Report – Drought Monitoring Continues

Unfortunately, we are falling into dry conditions, again.

Due to low flows in the Potomac River, ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) reinitiated daily drought monitoring last week. Low flows on the South Fork of the  Shenandoah River prompted the town of Front Royal, Virginia, to enact mandatory water conservation measures while other areas are still requesting voluntary water conservation.

During drought monitoring, CO-OP staff provide a daily report of weather conditions, river flow, and water demands. If flows drop further, staff will kick into a higher gear with Drought Operations, providing a twice-daily report to water suppliers and evaluate the need to release water from our upstream reservoirs.

Follow the daily drought monitoring report using the hashtag #droughtmonitoring on Twitter/X.

Water Supply Outlook

The final Water Supply Outlook of 2023, was published last week. The Washington metro area has an above-normal probability of releases from its backup water supply reservoirs this season. Additionally, groundwater wells have been slow to recover from the dry summer and spring.

Most importantly, the report notes that currently the river’s flow is adequate to meet the water demands of the region without requiring releases from upstream reservoirs. The region has drought-contingency plans to ensure water supply reliability and prevent shortages.

ICPRB’s Dr. Moltz elected chair of a national organization for water policy

ICPRB’s director of program operations, Dr. Heidi Moltz, has been elected as chair of the board of directors of the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP).

“I am honored and excited to collaborate with ICWP members to improve water resources management and planning policy nationwide. The ICWP mission to enhance the stewardship of the nation’s water resources aligns with our mission to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education,” says Dr. Moltz.

Dr. Moltz directs the water resources, aquatic life, and water quality programs at ICPRB, including overseeing the 2023 5-year review of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

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Final Water Supply Outlook of the Season is published

October 5, 2023

ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac publish the Water Supply Outlook on a monthly basis between April and October of each year. It provides an update on the possibility of water supply releases from the area’s reservoirs based on long-term precipitation data, flows, and other information for the Potomac basin.

Summary/Conclusions
The Washington metropolitan area has an above-normal probability of releases from its backup water supply reservoirs for the fall of 2023. These releases typically occur in response to low flows resulting from insufficient summer precipitation and low groundwater levels. Due to a dry period, CO-OP Drought Operations occurred from August 25th to September 11th. However, the Potomac basin saw some relief after several rainfall events produced 4.3 inches of precipitation for September, exceeding the monthly average by 0.5 inches. Little Falls’ adjusted stream flows reached a low of 533 million gallons per day (MGD), peaked above average, and are now within the 10th to 50th percentile flow range. Groundwater levels have been slower to recover, and many wells used in ICPRB’s low-flow outlook are now approaching normal levels. This trend is also reflected in the U.S. Drought Monitor, with reduced areas in the basin in the abnormally dry, moderate drought, and severe drought categories. NOAA’s U.S. Seasonal Outlook remains optimistic about drought conditions improving. As flows return to median levels, Point of Rocks has reverted to a flow rate of approximately 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). This flow rate coincides with the established Daily Monitoring threshold, and on October 4th, the CO-OP Section resumed its daily drought monitoring and reporting. Currently, the Potomac River’s flows are adequate to meet the water demands of the Washington metropolitan area without requiring releases from upstream reservoirs. The region has drought-contingency plans to ensure water supply reliability and prevent shortages.

Click here to visit the Water Supply Outlook page for the full report >>>

ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) was established to serve as a cooperative technical center on water resources in the Potomac basin.

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News from Around the Basin – October 5, 2023

October 5, 2023

Back into drought monitoring 🌊, big news for the Anacostia 💰, where to see the fall colors 🍂, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir 💧 Oct 5, 2023.

The River Report – Drought Monitoring Initiated, Again

While some cities around the region are lifting their drought warnings, ICPRB staff are still anxiously watching for signs of a continued drought.

River flows have fallen and ICPRB staff are busy, yet again, with the daily drought monitoring. Our daily report to water suppliers details the flow, water use, and weather in the region.

Our final Water Supply Outlook of the season is expected to be published later this afternoon. Preliminary findings indicate an October that will be hotter and drier than normal.

Please remember to practice wise water use in your everyday life, such as turning off the faucet when not using it or shortening showers.

Nature’s Magic Trick: Disappearing and Reappearing Rivers

ICPRB scientists are using harmless food-grade dye and carbon packs to discover underground secrets. The tools are used to map the path groundwater takes from one stream to another, exploring the areas where water is sinking into the ground and then rising back up. The specific color and accumulation of dye will reveal how groundwater streams are interconnected.

The project, taking place in the Cacapon River in West Virginia, is part of a larger quest to map underground stream connections and understand nutrient flow paths. Having a deeper understanding of how nutrients move within our watersheds will help us better address algae and harmful algal blooms.

The final report is expected to be out in the fall of 2024.

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News from Around the Basin – September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Climate change in the basin, what the recent rain means for the region, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir,  Sept 28, 2023.

The River Report

Conditions are improving. After a month of drought operations and drought monitoring, rain in the basin is now 1 inch above normal for the month of September. We were able to suspend drought monitoring on Monday due to rising river flows. Additionally, the recent U.S. Drought Monitor has shown improvement in drought conditions across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Even with the recent rain, some municipalities in the western part of the Potomac basin are still encouraging people to be water wise as we recover from a the dry spring and summer seasons.

We are no longer providing a daily report to downstream water suppliers on flow, water consumption, and weather conditions. However, if the river flow falls below our drought monitoring threshold of 2,000 cubic feet per second at the Point of Rocks USGS gage, we will resume drought monitoring operations.

2023 Potomac River Conference: One River’s Perspective on a Changing Climate

The 2nd annual Potomac River Conference was held last week. The event featured speakers from government agencies, academia, and nonprofit organizations. They highlighted trends in the Potomac basin, regional resilience, government innovations, on-the-ground implementation, as well as equity and environmental justice considerations for climate change in the Potomac River basin.

Find the videos, presentations, and posters on our website.

We would like to thank the numerous organizations and individuals who provided their support, knowledge, and elbow grease to make this event happen, including the staff at Fairfax Water where it was held.

We are currently looking for sponsors to help make the 2024 Potomac River Conference another successful symposium. Please let us know if your organization might be interested.

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2023 Potomac River Conference: One River’s Perspective on a Changing Climate

September 21, 2023

The 2nd annual Potomac River Conference was hosted by ICPRB and held at Fairfax Water in Lorton, Virginia, on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The event highlighted trends in the Potomac basin, regional resilience, government innovations, on-the-ground implementation, as well as equity and environmental justice considerations for climate change in the Potomac River basin.

Conference Documents

Dedication

The 2023 Potomac River Conference was dedicated to Curtis Dalpra, who passed away in March of 2023. During his long tenure in the Communications Department at ICPRB, Curtis was always willing to share his knowledge of the basin and its storied past. During his 41 years at ICPRB, he championed good stewardship of the Potomac River. Let us all continue that legacy.

Videos and Presentations

A video of the conference and links to the presentations can be found below.

Video: Sessions 1-3

Session 1: Opening

Moderator – Michael Nardolilli, ICPRB

  • In Memoriam Curtis Dalpra – Michael Nardolilli, ICPRB
  • Welcome to Fairfax Water – Jamie Hedges, Fairfax Water
  • Welcome to the 2023 Potomac River Conference – Robert Sussman, ICPRB Chair
  • Keynote Speaker: The Climate Crisis and Potomac River Communities – Katie Blackman, Potomac Conservancy

Session 2: Trends in the Potomac Basin

Moderator – Chris Jones, GMU

Session 3: Regional Resilience

Moderator – Pam Kenel, Loudoun Water

At the end of Session 3, we took a moment to share reflections on Curtis Dalpra while a slideshow of photos were played on the screen. 

Video: Sessions 4-6

Session 4: Government Innovation

Moderator – Jeffery Seltzer, DOEE

Christopher Beck (MDE); Erin Garnaas-Holmes (DOEE); Katherine Rainone (MWCOG); Megan Porta (PA DEP)

Session 5: Implementation

Moderator – Steve DeRidder, Berkeley County PSWD

Session 6: Closing 

Michael Nardolilli, ICPRB Executive Director

Poster Session

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News from Around the Basin – September 14, 2023

September 14, 2023

Flamingoes in the basin , rain alleviates drought operations , and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir.

The River Report

After weeks of conducting intense Drought Operations while watching the river flow decline, we received almost 2 inches of rain over the past 7 days.

The river flow increased enough for us to shift to a more-lowkey drought monitoring, which includes one daily report to downstream water suppliers.

This morning’s drought monitoring report noted, “River flows at Point of Rocks and Little Falls have increased to the median values and are now beginning to recede.” There is no rain expected in the next 7 days.

Many areas in the western part of the basin are still in drought warning or emergency. We continue to see new consequences from the dry conditions, including a mostly-contained wildfire in the Shenandoah National Park and a newly unveiled, historical dam underneath the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

ICPRB Elects New Leadership

On Tuesday, commissioners and staff attended our annual business meeting at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). The meeting commenced with a land acknowledgement by the NCTC’s director before the CO-OP meeting and a welcome speech from the mayor of Shepherdstown, West Virginia before the ICPRB business meeting. During the meeting, the commissioners elected new officials, learned about new drought modeling capabilities, and voted on updates to the Low Flow Allocation Agreement.

Commissioner Susan Weaver, representative of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was elected as the 2024 chairperson. We would like to thank the outgoing chair, Commissioner Robert Sussman, representative of the federal government, for his hard work moving ICPRB forward over the past year.

Since this was our first in-person meeting since the pandemic, we took the opportunity to honor the commissioners that have joined us in the past few years by presenting each new commissioner with an official ICPRB pin.

The meeting was followed by an informative guided tree walk around the grounds. More photos of the event can be found on our Facebook post.

Contact us for more information