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ICPRB outlook (Fall,
2007):
Water supply demand from the Potomac River is potentially higher than Potomac flow for only a short period of time (approximately four months) from about early July through late October or early November. This time period is when Potomac augmentation releases are most likely to occur in order to ensure adequate flow. Because the critical period for comparing demand to resources is during the summer through fall, the focus of ICPRB water supply outlooks is for the period April through October.
As of October 26, 2007, Potomac flow at Point of Rocks has increased above the low flow monitoring threshold of 2,000 cfs, and given the forecast of high precipitation in the basin, daily monitoring will be discontinued until further notice. The next water supply outlook will be issued in April of 2008.
During periods of low flow, ICPRB monitors flow information from USGS gages and from our own gage at Edwards Ferry . In addition, we track hourly demands from each of the metropolitan area water suppliers. Based on analysis of the flow and demand data, knowledge of historical Potomac flows, and weather forecasts, ICPRB makes the following predictions for the Fall and Winter:
Water supply releases from Jennings Randolph Reservoir are unlikely this Fall and Winter.
Releases from Little Seneca Reservoir are unlikely unlikely this Fall and Winter.
The ICPRB will continue to track flow and demand data as necessary in cooperation with Washington metropolitan area water suppliers during low flow periods. Such tracking is a normal part of CO-OP drought operations. These procedures have been honed during annual drought exercises, and most recently during the low flow period of September and October of 2007.
As unusually dry conditions persist throughout the region, a drought "WATCH" was put into effect October 3, 2007 asking residents and businesses to conserve water and help reduce demand on the region's water supply systems, announced the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). Link: http://www.mwcog.org/environment/water/watersupply/current_conditions.asp
Although conditions in some jurisdictions have necessitated stricter measures, including mandatory restrictions, at this time officials do not anticipate reaching the WARNING or EMERGENCY stages of the Regional Plan for those who get their water from the Potomac River system.
The ICPRB, through its Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP), coordinates water supply operations during times of drought and recommends releases of stored water. These operations ensure adequate water supplies for the major Washington metropolitan area water users and for environmental flow levels.
This page will be updated at least weekly during drought operations.
last modified: 10/29/07 |
Graphical Updates of River Flow and
Reservoir Storage
Recent Potomac flow:
Drought Status:
Recent precipitation and forecasts:
Groundwater conditions:
Archived Water Supply Outlooks:
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