News

Potomac News Reservoir

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News From Around the Basin – September 26, 2024

ICPRB’s report on economic consequences to water supply disruption, Fred Co proposes reigning in data centers, DC’s official amphibian, and more, in today’s Potomac News Reservoir – September 26, 2024 >>>

NEWS RELEASE: New Report Exposes Alarming Economic Impacts on DC Region if Faced with Water Supply Disruption

On Tuesday, ICPRB held a press conference to unveil a new report highlighting the significant and dire financial consequences facing the Washington, D.C., region in the event of a disruption to the area’s water supply.

ICPRB’s Executive Director Michael Nardolilli opened the press conference with a quote from Ben Franklin, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.”

In just one month, a significant disruption from threats like infrastructure failures or natural disasters in D.C.’s water supply could result in a loss of $15 billion in gross regional product and hundreds of millions in tax losses, according to the report, “The Economic and Fiscal Costs of Water Supply Disruption to the National Capital Region.

During the press conference, ICPRB, along with officials from the Greater Washington Board of Trade, DC Water, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the American Business Water Coalition, called for Congressional action to fund crucial infrastructure projects to ensure greater resiliency in the D.C. region’s water supply and safeguard the health and safety of both the public and the economy.

“The Potomac River is the single source of drinking water for D.C. and provides water for roughly five million people in the region,” said ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli. “It is integral to the functioning of the nation’s capital. This report clearly shows that any disruption to the water supply would have catastrophic economic consequences for the region, especially for the most vulnerable residents of our nation’s capital. Securing the resilience of our water infrastructure is not just a priority, it’s a necessity.”

Learn more and read the entire report >>>

River Report – ICPRB Discontinues Daily Drought Monitoring

ICPRB ceased daily Drought Monitoring last Saturday due to increased river flows and rain in the forecast.

Today’s U.S. Drought Monitor map sees a slight increase in Extreme Drought over last week but drought conditions improved in the southern part of the watershed.

NOAA’s National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC) is predicting the remnants of Hurricane Helene will drop some rain across the western part of the basin which will increase river flows and bring some badly-needed moisture to the area.

When it rains, it pours. MARFC is calling for coastal flooding in the District and neighboring communities. Stay safe and avoid driving through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown.

Our thoughts are with those in the path of Hurricane Helene.

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News From Around the Basin – September 19, 2024

A rainy drought, fall foliage, data center water use, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – September 19, 2024 >>>

River Report – Drought continues, despite recent rain

Last month was earth’s hottest August on record. Hot days add additional complications to already dry weather. However, if you are a wine drinker, there is at least one up side to our recent dry conditions: better wine. Cheers to that!

Today’s updated U.S. Drought Monitor map has not changed much from last week’s map, except the Extreme Drought in the basin has increased from 0.1% to 2.5.%.

ICPRB continues to provide daily emails as part of their Drought Monitoring, due to the low flows in the Potomac River. You can see the highlights of those daily reports by following #droughtmonitoring on Facebook and Twitter/X.

NEWS RELEASE: ICPRB Wins $419,300 Grant to Increase Eel Habitat in the Potomac River

The Chesapeake WILD grant will support opening passageways in the North Branch Potomac to allow migration of the American eel, a species of environmental, cultural, and historical significance.

The American eel has historically been found throughout the Potomac River. In recent centuries, dams and other hindrances have decreased access to available habitat resulting in significantly reduced population numbers. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) recently was awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) grant to help restore the eels to their native range and make existing populations more resilient.

Click here to read the full News Release >>>

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News From Around the Basin – September 12, 2024

ICPRB initiates drought monitoring, plus data center zoning, big grants for cleanup, stream restoration, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir >>> 

River Report – ICPRB Initiates Drought Monitoring, Again

As of yesterday morning, ICPRB has started Drought Monitoring due to low flows in the Potomac River and no rain expected in the next week. The Potomac River supplies drinking water to 78% of people in the greater Washington metro region and 100% of residents in the District of Columbia and Arlington County, Virginia.

It has been about a month since Tropical Storm Debby blew through and increased the rivers flow enough to give us respite from the daily drought emails, but the river’s flow is now below the 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Potomac Rocks USGS gage, which is the threshold for drought monitoring.

During Drought Monitoring, staff at ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) prepare a daily email for water suppliers and government agencies with flow, weather, and demand conditions. This important information can be used to inform water supply operations.

During periods of drought, the CO-OP helps manage the Washington metropolitan area water supply system by coordinating withdrawals from the Potomac River and off-river reservoirs and recommending releases from upstream reservoirs when forecasted flow in the river is not sufficient to meet expected needs.

Follow the conversation and see the daily emails using #droughtmonitoring on Facebook and Twitter/X.

The Washington metropolitan area remains in a Drought Watch declared by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on July 29. Authorities are asking folks to use water wisely.

Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows very little changes in the Potomac River watershed (gray line) from last week.

ICPRB Welcomes New Chair and Commissioners

Earlier this week, ICPRB commissioners and staff met in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the annual Commission meeting which was graciously hosted by the Adams County Conservation District.

Pennsylvania State Representative (and ICPRB Commissioner) Dan Moul offered welcoming remarks and Conservation District Manager Adam McClain highlighted the activities of the Adams County Conservation District. Ten percent of the Potomac River basin is in Pennsylvania, including Gettysburg.

Recently appointed commissioners were welcomed with an ICPRB pin. We would like to officially welcome Jessica Shirley (PA), Chris Ann Kemple (PA), Birthe Kjellerup (MD), Del. Kathy K.L. Tran (VA), Del. Joshua Cole (VA), and Steve Saari (DC) to the Commission.

The commissioners confirmed Scott Morris (VA) as ICPRB’s chair and Robert Sussman (Fed) as CO-OP chair for 2025. Mindy Neil (WV) and Scott Morris (VA) will be vice chairs, respectively. ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli thanked outgoing chair, Susan Weaver (PA), for her leadership in shepherding the adoption of a new three-year Strategic Plan for ICPRB as well as completing the first five-year review of the long-term ICPRB Comprehensive Plan.

The meeting was followed by a tour of Knouse Foods applesauce and juice processing facility in Orrtanna, PA. Commissioners and staff donned hair nets and ear plugs while they learned about the water conservation measures implemented by the facility, including equipment replacement, use monitoring, as well as adjusting processes to conserve water during a drought.

See more pictures on our Facebook post >>>

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News From Around the Basin – September 5, 2024

New Swimmable Potomac report is out, ICPRB hiring, sliver of extreme drought, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – September 5, 2024 >>>

River Report – Low Flows but Rain in the Forecast

Rains through last weekend helped buoy river flows, which is nice to see after a dry summer. Rain for this time of year is on par with the average.

Unfortunately, the rain might be too little, too late for fall leaf peepers. The experts are calling for an early and lackluster fall color season.

According to the Virginia DEQ’s most recent Drought Advisory Update, the Shenandoah region remains in Drought Warning while much of Northern Virginia is back in Drought Watch.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map now shows a tiny sliver of Extreme Drought (D3) sneaking over the light gray line that outlines the Potomac basin. The Severe and Moderate drought status in the basin is not significantly different from last week’s map. The dark red showing Exceptional Drought (D4), the worst in two decades, is outside the Potomac basin and eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

We’re hiring!

ICPRB seeks an enthusiastic, hands-on, detail-oriented individual to be a member of our Administrative Team. The Administrative Coordinator will report directly to the Director of Administration.  This is a full-time position and the individual selected will be expected to work onsite in Rockville, MD for at least three days a week.

Application deadline is September 13.

Learn more and see how to apply >>>

ICPRB in the Community

Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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News From Around the Basin – June 20, 2024

New NOAA rapid onset drought prediction 🌊 tool, urban swimming 🏊‍♀️trend, 💩-powered buses, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – June 20, 2024 >>>

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Newsletter — June 20, 2024

River Report – New NOAA Rapid Onset Drought Prediction Tool

You might have noticed it’s hot outside. According to the new NOAA Climate Prediction Center, which just became live last month, the excessive heat may lead to a regional rapid onset drought. Also known as a flash drought, these events are tied to extreme temperatures and other variables that quickly soak up available moisture.

The river’s flow at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks is hovering around 2,600 cubic feet per second (cfs), and dropping. If the flow goes below 2,000 cfs, ICPRB’s CO-OP team will initiate daily drought monitoring. In the case of a drought, the DC Metro area is well protected due to decades of planning and preparation.

It’s always a good idea to be mindful of our water use. Here are a few tips to be water wise:

🛠️ Fix leaky pipes.

🚿 Take shorter showers.

🌿 Choose native plants for your landscaping.

🥤 Capture and reuse water from activities like washing vegetables or waiting for the water to warm up. This water can be used to water plants or to clean.

🚰 Brushing teeth? Washing hands? Doing dishes? Turn the faucet off when you are not actively using the water during these daily activities.

What to celebrate this week: West Virginia Day (June 20)

With 3,490 square miles of land in the Potomac watershed, West Virginia makes up almost 25% of the total watershed. However, West Virginians make up a only small fraction (0.04%) of the overall population.* Happy West Virginia Day! (*2020 census)

ICPRB in the Community

Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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News From Around the Basin – June 13, 2024

Welcoming our summer intern, honoring Juneteenth and Pride Month, Potomac River dolphins, and more in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir >>>

Welcoming Summer 2024 Intern, AJ Villaruel!

AJ is a Junior at Cornell University studying Biological Engineering and Global Development. His academic and career interests lie within the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and community engagement, and how they can be used to equitably improve the lives of those worldwide.

This summer, he will assist the ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) by enhancing modeling tools with remote sensing data and analyzing GRACE-based drought products to improve drought assessment tools. Additionally, he will support the Aquatic Life Section and the DEIJ committee of the Commission with research objectives.

AJ comes to ICPRB from the Yale Conservation Scholars Program. Welcome, AJ!

 

June Water Supply Outlook shows low risk of backup water use

Each month from April to October, the ICPRB Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac, or CO-OP Section, produces the Water Supply Outlook, which details the probability of the DC metro area needing a release from upstream reservoirs for its drinking water supply.

Last summer, we were experiencing abnormally dry conditions. This summer, we are in better shape due to heavier rain this spring. The maps below illustrate the spatial variability of rainfall over the Potomac Basin in May. Normalized rainfall anomaly, indicating departure from normal conditions, reveals that rainfall was normal to slightly above normal across the basin.

Read the full Water Supply Outlook for the month of June here > > >

ICPRB is Hiring: Water Resources Planner

ICPRB seeks an enthusiastic, detail-oriented collaborator to be a key member of the Water Resources team. The Water Resources Planner will assist with interesting and challenging projects in this program area, an exciting opportunity to apply diverse technical and participatory skills in a large river basin context. This position will also be responsible for coordinating the Potomac River Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership, to include planning and executing quarterly meetings, administering the partnership, and designing and implementing associated educational events. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on July 5, 2024.

Learn more on our Jobs page >>>

Honoring freedom this week: Juneteenth

What does freedom mean to you? The organization Outdoor Afro, which has a mission of celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature, will commemorate Juneteenth next Wednesday, June 19, under the theme of “Freedom to Access Water.”

To honor this day, we encourage you to spend time in nature (whether a nearby beach, swimming pool, or public park for example). Outdoor Afro asks you to discover a nearby water source in your neighborhood for 2.5 hours – to reflect in honor of the 2.5 years that freedom delayed for 250,000 enslaved Black people of Galveston, Texas.

More about Outdoor Afro and their Making Waves program, which has a goal of helping 1,200 Black children and caregivers learn to swim in 2024 > > >

Learn about LGBTQ History in the Outdoors

June is national LGBTQ Pride Month. You might be familiar with the Capital Pride parade and other Pride celebrations taking place this month, but did you know about the places all around the region, including several parks and plazas, that are significant to LGBTQ history?

Learn more about LGBTQ Heritage in the National Capital Region from the National Park Service > > >

ICPRB in the Community

Join ICPRB at one of our upcoming events:

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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Media From Around the Basin – May 2, 2024

Finding a Lost River, reviving a forgotten river, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir > > >

Are you seeing green?

Does the warm weather, birds singing, and flowers blooming have you seeing green all around? What about in the water?

On the evening of April 30th, ICPRB staff, in coordination with our West Virginia partners, deployed a bright green dye into the lower Lost River. Although we’re a little late for St. Patrick’s Day, the dye will help scientists understand how water travels underground in a complex geological environment.

During dry weather, the Lost River disappears underground and reappears as the Cacapon River. The geological connection between the two rivers is not fully understood.

As the food grade dye sinks into the cracks and fissures in the Lost River, ICPRB scientists will monitor and map the color as it reemerges at springs throughout the Cacapon watershed. To help us track the dye, staff installed passive carbon pack collectors (essentially fish tank carbon filters) throughout the watershed.

The safe dye will degrade and wash away in only a few days, leaving the Cacapon as it was before (if a bit less festive).

If you are familiar with the geology in the region, you can help our scientists by identifying springs and ground water sinks in the Lost River Valley, Rio Valley, or Upper Cacapon.

Watershed moments — What to celebrate this week: Drinking Water Week

What do your coffee maker, a brewery, and you have in common? They all need clean drinking water to function properly. Drinking Water Week is a time to celebrate our most vital resource and those who work to protect it.

Ways to celebrate Drinking Water Week (May 5-11):

  • Learn where your drinking water comes from
  • Discover new ways to be more water efficient
  • Participate in a local river clean up

Thank you to all the water resource professionals who work hard to make sure our taps work when we need them (and our coffee maker, too!). Join the conversation using #drinkingwaterweek on your favorite social media platforms.

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Media From Around the Basin – April 25, 2024

Making science more accessible, Rock Creek by any other name, the state of the streams, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir. > > >

Making Science More Accessible

If you have visited the ICPRB website recently you might have noticed some changes. In our continued effort to make the website more accessible to a wider audience, we are excited to announce a couple new features.

Clicking a button at the top right of the website immediately translates the website’s content into other languages. Readers can choose from ten of the most common languages spoken within the Potomac River watershed, including Spanish and French.

Clicking the person icon at the bottom right of the website provides audio and visual options to make the website more accessible to people living with a disability. Readers will find a menu with eight different accessibility profiles to choose from, including motor impaired, color blind, and visually-impaired. Among other options, visitors can choose to have the website read aloud or change the look of the site (color contrast, text size, etc.) to better suit an individual’s needs.

Start exploring the website today > > >

Watershed moments — what to celebrate this week: Rx Take Back Day

One simple way to protect our waterways is to properly dispose of medication (NEVER flush it down the drain!). This Saturday there will be collection sites conveniently located throughout the region where anyone can safely offload unneeded medication as part of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Find a collection site near you > > >

ICPRB in the Community

Below is a list of upcoming events ICPRB is producing or attending.

Find even more fun activities on our Events Calendar > > >

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News from Around the Basin – April 18, 2024

Webinar on Data Centers & Solar, watershed moments, White’s ferry tale saga continues, and more, in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir – April 18, 2024 >>>

ICPRB Webinar: Water Resources Impacts of Data Centers and Solar Fields and Tools to Mitigate Impacts

Interested in the intersection of data centers, solar fields, and water resources in the Potomac River watershed? Join ICPRB for a webinar on Friday, May 10 at noon to learn about the water resources impacts of data centers and solar fields in the Potomac watershed. We’ll also discuss tools to mitigate and prevent those impacts. The panel will feature speakers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Loudoun Water.

This event is being held as part of the implementation of the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan.

Watershed moments – what to celebrate this week

Earth Day is Monday, April 22. One impetus for the national push for a this day to inspire environmental action was Silent Spring, a groundbreaking book which linked pollution to real impacts to both the environment and human health. The book was written by biologist and writer Rachel Carson, a resident of the Potomac River basin.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Here are just a few of many options:

ICPRB in the Community

Below is a list of upcoming events ICPRB is producing or attending. We hope to see you there!

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News From Around the Basin – April 4, 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 > > >