Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin   Year 2000 Drought Exercise
          For over twenty years, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) has been conducting annual drought exercises for the Washington metropolitan area.   During a drought, ICRPB coordinates water supply operations for the three major water utilities in Washington, D.C. and the adjacent suburbs in Maryland and Virginia.  In the drought exercises, ICPRB and the utilities practice the operations of the system as they would occur during an actual drought.   This year's drought exercise marks the first year in which an enhanced public information campaign is conducted.

Chain Bridge (38068 bytes)
C. Dalpra, ICPRB.  Potomac at Chain Bridge; July 16, 1999; flow = 250 mgd


Background, overview, and what's new in this year's drought exercise.
GETACRO.GIF (712 bytes)


A simulation of a "Virtual Drought" allows for development of key communication points and mock press releases for an intended audience of local government and water utility officials.


Key operational data (such as reservoir storage, current river flow, short- and long-term precipitation forecasts, utility withdrawals, and daily summaries)   are presented.